Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the assessment by the HSE of the NCPE, National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, health technology assessment of ataluren brand name (details supplied); when a decision on the funding of this drug will be taken by the HSE as to whether to include it in the reimbursement list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30505/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products 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 to the HSE.

Decisions on whether to reimburse medicines 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 the health technology assessment of pharmaceutical products for the HSE, and can make recommendations on reimbursement to assist the HSE in its decision-making process.

The NCPE completed a health technology assessment of ataluren (brand name Translarna) in April and did not recommend reimbursement. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the latest position on this drug.