Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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402. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to fund the drug Spinraza; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are persons with spinal muscular atrophy who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of trying to cover the costs themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37091/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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476. To ask the Minister for Health the status of approval for a medication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37357/18]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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502. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the availability of the Spinraza medication for those with spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37461/18]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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525. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 27 March 2018, if consideration is being given to providing access through the HSE to a treatment (details supplied) for spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37509/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 476, 482, 502 and 525 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.

HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions.

The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro investments on an on-going basis. This can lead to a protracted deliberation process.

Nusinersen (Spinraza) is for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

An application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) is currently being processed by the HSE. No decision has been arrived at as yet as the statutory assessment process is still ongoing.