Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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2615. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to provide some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/21]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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2916. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39637/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2615 and 2916 together.

I have been advised by the HSE that the PCRS has been approached by the Diabetes Clinical Programme to progress the allocation of some of the efficiencies arising from the MMP preferred blood glucose strips for funding further priority groups with type 1 Diabetes. Such a consideration must be balanced with all of the exigencies placed on the PCRS to remain within their budget allocation for 2021 and remains under deliberation.

Consultant Endocrinologists / Diabetes Nurse Specialists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) sensors. This includes those persons with eligibility under Community Drug Schemes (e.g. medical card holders, those with Long Term Illness eligibility). The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3rd April 2018. In line with the recommendations outlined of the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults (4 -21 years). However, the application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient outside of this group.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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2616. To ask the Minister for Health if a submission for funding to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need in the National Service Plan 2021 was received from the HSE PCRS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38403/21]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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2617. To ask the Minister for Health if he is expecting a submission for funding from the HSE PCRS to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need for inclusion in the National Service Plan 2022.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/21]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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2618. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received a submission from the HSE PCRS recommending that the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is made available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38405/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2616 to 2618, inclusive, together.

I have not received a funding proposal from the HSE in relation to the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. I understand that the review process in relation to this product is not yet completed.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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2619. To ask the Minister for Health the number of meetings that have been held in 2020 and to date in 2021 between the manufacturers of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system and the HSE PCRS in relation to making the technology available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; the outcomes of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38406/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE have advised that there have been three meetings held between the manufacturers of the Freestyle Libre system and the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in this timeframe. At the most recent meeting, the manufacturer confirmed that they held sufficient clinical evidence to support a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process.

The HSE has now commissioned a full HTA to be conducted by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) in collaboration with the Medicines Management Programme. The engagement with the NCPE has commenced as evidenced in recent days with a call for patient group submissions.