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 drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.  

The HSE has advised that Alirocumab (Praluent®) is available for reimbursement under the High Tech arrangements from 1 April, 2021 for adults with primary hypercholesterolaemia (heterozygous familial and non-familial) or mixed dyslipidaemia and adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) [myocardial infarction, stroke or peripheral arterial disease] to reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. 

In accordance with the conditions outlined in the approval decision of the HSE EMT, a Managed Access Protocol is in place for Alirocumab (Praluent®). The protocol outlines the criteria that must be satisfied in order for a patient to be recommended for reimbursement of Alirocumab (Praluent®) under High Tech Arrangements. 

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.