Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 1 May 2024, if an implementation group (details supplied) has completed its work; if the group has submitted its report to the Minister; the membership of that group; the stakeholders engaged during targeted engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24199/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2023, I published the Mazars Review which examined the governance arrangements around the HSE’s Drug Pricing and Reimbursement Process. The Report found that the reimbursement process is operating in line with the legislation and that it is delivering results in line with international norms. I fully support the recommendations contained in the Mazars report around improving the process, increasing transparency, providing easier access, and supporting value for money.

An implementation group has been established between my Department and the HSE to consider and progress the various recommendations contained in the Report. The membership of the Group includes representatives of the Drugs Group, the HSE, the NCPE, and the Department of Health. The Working Group has met frequently since its establishment, to consider the involvement of patients, industry, and clinicians, in each stage of the reimbursement process.

The Group has conducted two rounds of targeted stakeholder consultation. Submissions to the Group were received from:

Alliance of Rare Disease Companies Ireland

AstraZeneca

BioMarin

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

Fighting Blindness

Irish Cancer Society

Irish Haematological Society

Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association

Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry

Irish Society of Medical Oncologists

Medicines for Ireland

Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

National Cancer Control Programme

Rare Diseases Ireland

Rare Disease Technology Review Committee

The insights gained from stakeholders have been considered by the Group as it continues its work on progressing the various recommendations of the Review. The Group’s work is now nearing completion and a report on this will be submitted to me in the coming weeks.