Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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668. To ask the Minister for Health if he will approve the increased dosage of 40mg to 80mg of humira per week for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12946/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the Community Drug Schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process. In addition, Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 prohibits the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.