Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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87. To ask the Minister for Health when Tecfidera on BT12 will be available to multiple sclerosis sufferers under the long-term illness scheme. [3976/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. This requires consideration of a range of statutory criteria prior to reimbursing any medicine, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available to the HSE.

The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer, are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or ministerial decisions.

The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Tecfidera, in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines.

In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Tecfidera and concluded that it is not considered cost-effective for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing remitting MS and therefore is not recommended for reimbursement at the submitted price.

The HSE is considering the findings of the report. No further comment is possible at this time as the HSE decision making process is ongoing.