James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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722. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on the reimbursement of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54581/17]

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 drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).

The NCPE Health Technology Assessment was completed in July 2017 estimated on the basis of the price originally proposed that a budget of in excess of €65 million over 5 years would have been required to support reimbursement of palbociclib(Ibrance). They did not recommend reimbursement.

The HSE has engaged with the company in question in relation to pricing and budget impact and the outcome of those commercial discussions is being carefully considered.

The HSE assessment process is ongoing and the HSE will take into account any relevant expert advice when making its decision, in line with the 2013 Act.