Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

373. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he is encouraging the use of biosimilar medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42312/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to inform the House that the prescribing of Best Value Biologic medicines is leading to significant savings for the health service, which is assisting us in facilitating access to new, innovative medicines for patients.

The HSE is actively engaged in implementing effective policy levers across a number of domains and under several initiatives, including the Acute Hospitals Drugs Management Programme, the Medicines Management Programme, and within the Primary Care Eligibility & Reimbursement Service.

The HSE Medicines Management Programme published recommendations in May 2019 in relation to two high tech drugs, adalimumab and etanercept, which has resulted in the percentage value of Biosimilar drugs reimbursed to High Tech suppliers increasing from about 2% in 2018 to over 40% of the available market by October this year.

In 2019, the HSE introduced the Gainshare Initiative, which provides a financial incentive to public hospitals and clinics to pursue biosimilar treatment switching programmes. This has resulted in over 10,000 patients switching and has achieved savings in excess of €35 million, to date. 

While progress has been positive, the Department of Health and HSE are continuously monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of current levers to ensure that the State can capitalise on the most efficient policy approach.

There is value and savings to be gained from the adoption of biosimilars technology, however, progress in this area has to be carefully planned and implemented, with patient’s confidence and assurance at the forefront of any new initiatives and developments. It is not comparable to consider biosimilars and generics in the same context. They are different medical technologies with different care pathways for patients.

Despite the impediment of Covid-19, the HSE are progressing well in achieving savings in this area whilst maintaining the engagement of clinicians and the confidence of patients in the safety and efficacy of this technology.