Written answers
Monday, 8 September 2025
Department of Health
Departmental Schemes
Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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2651. To ask the Minister for Health whether versatis plasters for the purpose of providing pain relief for those undergoing cancer treatment will be considered for inclusion in the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47270/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE advise that the following pain relief patches are currently available on the reimbursement list:
- Durogesic DTrans Transdermal patches.
- Fental Matrix Transdermal patches.
- Matrifen Transdermal patches.
- Fentadur Transdermal patches.
- Butrans Transdermal patches.
- Versatis plasters (subject to a managed access system, indicated for post-herpetic neuralgia).
In exceptional circumstances, Versatis plasters may be approved for supply for unlicensed uses. If an application is refused, the clinician may make an appeal to the MMP by email, making a clear clinical case for the patient. This process ensures that post-shingles patients, and other patients as clinically appropriate, can continue to have this specific treatment.
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