Written answers
Tuesday, 5 March 2019
Department of Health
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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259. To ask the Minister for Health when Spinraza will be made available for children with spinal muscular atrophy. [10257/19]
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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292. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the application for the approval of the orphan drug Spinraza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10411/19]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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314. To ask the Minister for Health if the delays associated with the supply of Spinraza will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10489/19]
Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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324. To ask the Minister for Health the reason Spinraza has yet to be approved here in view of the fact it has been approved for reimbursement in 25 other European countries (details supplied); if he will request the HSE to re-enter discussions with a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/19]
Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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372. To ask the Minister for Health the position with regard to Spinraza; if there will be a review of the latest decision by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10852/19]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 292, 314, 324 and 372 together.
The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.
I am advised by the HSE that an application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) was considered by HSE Leadership at its meeting on 12 February 2019.
Following detailed consideration of the application, the HSE Leadership made the decision that it was unable to recommend reimbursement of Spinraza and concluded that the evidence for clinical effectiveness is still quite limited and that the current price proposed by the manufacturer was not a cost-effective use of resources.
The HSE has written to the company involved and informed them of the proposal to refuse reimbursement at the current price offering. Under the requirements of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the company now has 28 days to respond or make representations to the HSE’s proposed decision.
The HSE remains open to considering any new evidence or information which emerges regarding the clinical effectiveness or price of this medicine.
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