Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to have the drug pirfenidone made available for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on economic grounds. [28923/13]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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548. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in negotiations with the manufacturers of the drug Pirfenidone (details supplied); and when the drug will be available for reimbursement under the medical card scheme [29132/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 548 together.

The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of pirfenidone in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application is being considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed last year by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines.

In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of pirfenidone and concluded that, at the submitted price, pirfenidone is not cost-effective for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The report is available on the NCPE's website ().

The NCPE report is an important input to assist decision making and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug. The HSE has had negotiations with Intermune (the manufacturer of pirfenidone) in relation to the pricing of pirfenidone and is examining an offer made by Intermune. The offer will be assessed in the context of the procedures for the assessment of new medicines as per the 2012 agreement between IPHA, the HSE and the Department of Health. The HSE is carefully considering all the issues which arise in relation to the proposed benefits and costs of this medicine and expects to reach a decision in the near future.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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529. To ask the Minister for Health the reasons the drug Lyrica, which is used to treat nerve ending damage in patients with diabetes, is not available on the long term illness scheme; the measures he is taking to make it available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28927/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The drug Lyrica is on the HSE's list of reimbursable items and is available under the Long Term Illness Scheme. I understand that this question refers to an individual case and is a matter for the relevant Local Health Office. The issue has, therefore, been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.