Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1309. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the drug Respreeza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25674/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.

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 (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) of pharmaceutical products for the HSE, and can make recommendations on reimbursement to assist the HSE in its decision-making process.

As the Deputy has noted, the NCPE is currently conducting an assessment of Respreeza as maintenance treatment of emphysema in adults with documented severe alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency. Once this assessment is completed, a summary report will be published on the NCPE website. The HSE will then consider the NCPE assessment as part of its decision-making process when considering the drug for reimbursement.

As the NCPE's assessment of Respreeza is ongoing, it is not possible to provide further details at this time.