Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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921. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide CoaguChek and self-test strips free of charge for patients who require long-term oral anticoagulant therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37529/22]

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

In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.

The HSE have advised that International Normalised Ratio (INR) self-testing strips such as CoaguChek® are not reimbursable under the General Medical Services (GMS) and Community Drug Schemes.

Whilst a range of diagnostics are available on the Reimbursement List for use in Diabetes, a change in HSE policy would be required to expand this to other therapeutic areas such as INR testing ancillaries.

The HSE have further advised that on very rare occasions, CoaguChek® strips were approved for reimbursement in the most exceptional circumstances under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements where it was clear that there was no other option for the patient i.e. the person was bed bound or could not travel to the INR clinic.