Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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737. To ask the Minister for Health if he could outline the roles and responsibilities of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics as defined by statute; the reporting requirements it has to the Minister and the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26088/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) was established in 1998 with the aim of promoting expertise in Ireland for the advancement of the discipline of pharmacoeconomics through practice, research and education. The NCPE is an independent Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Agency responsible for evaluating drug treatments for use in the Irish healthcare setting.

The NCPE conducts the HTA of drugs for the health service in Ireland in collaboration with the Health Service Executive's Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit. They assess comparative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of drugs compared to current standard of care. The NCPE engages with stakeholders, including patients and clinicians, throughout the assessment process.

The NCPE also has a research function, with staff holding numerous teaching commitments, including with patient facing organisations. They report to the HSE via the Chief Clinical Officer. The NCPE responds to all requests from the Minister as and when required.