Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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411. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 535 of 20 September 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the impact that the changes of the prescribing of Lidocaine has had on persons with chronic neuropathic pain; if the HSE medicines management programme has investigated the impact that changes to the prescription of pain medication has on persons with chronic neuropathic pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42219/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 535 of 20 September 2017, following a review by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP) of the evidence available to support the use of Versatis 5% medicated plaster, the HSE introduced a system for its reimbursement from 1 September 2017. This process provide for the use of Versatis for symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster (shingles) infection, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults.

All patients who currently use Versatis, for both licensed and unlicensed indications, have been identified and automatically registered on the HSE-PCRS system for three months and will continue to receive the treatment from their pharmacy until 30 November 2017. From 1 December 2017, in line with the MMP clinical review, non-shingles patients will no longer be dispensed Versatis under the community drugs schemes. The HSE has produced patient information leaflets and advised GPs on treatment alternatives.

In exceptional circumstances, the product may be dispensed for unlicensed indications. For example, in the situation outlined by the Deputy and other circumstances, a GP may make an application for reimbursement for unlicensed indications for new and existing patients through the online system. The application will be reviewed by the MMP before a decision is made and communicated to the GP.

Full details of the review of Versatis are available on the HSE website at:

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As this is a matter for the HSE, I have no role in this decision in relation to individual treatments. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.