Arthur Spring
Question:988. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when the drug Fampyra will be made available free of charge to patients with multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12852/14]
View answerTuesday, 25 March 2014
Questions (988, 1110, 1127, 1129, 1133, 1135, 1151, 1217)
Kevin Humphreys
Question:1110. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the reason Fampyra in not covered by the medical card or long-term illness scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits it has given sufferers of multiple sclerosis; if he will immediately make the drug available to persons who need it under the State schemes; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the monthly costs for a patient on the long-term illness scheme who needs this drug is approximately €343, and if he will ask the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics to conduct another pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine; and if he will arrange for the Health Service Executive to cover the costs of the drug in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 as it has delivered a marked improvement in mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13624/14]
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Tom Fleming
Question:1127. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will make the drug Fampyra available both on the long-term illness scheme and the medical card scheme, as it has proven to be very effective in the management of multiple sclerosis symptoms allowing sufferers to live a more active life without constant pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13733/14]
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Dan Neville
Question:1129. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will consider putting the drug Fampyra on the drugs payment system listing or the long-term illness scheme. [13739/14]
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Jonathan O'Brien
Question:1133. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of patients had been taking a drug Fampyra for treatment of MS through Bon Secours, Tralee, as part of a trial; that this trial has ended and it will cost patients €250 to continue treatment on this; that the drug payment system or long-term illness scheme will not contribute anything to the cost; his plans to rectify this matter so that treatment can be continued [13750/14]
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Joe Higgins
Question:1135. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the drug Fampyra for multiple sclerosis will be available for patients through the public health service at no cost at the point of use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13764/14]
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Nicky McFadden
Question:1151. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the trial drug Fampyra is no longer available free of charge to patients diagnosed with MS (details supplied); if the drugs payment system or the long-term illness scheme could contribute to the cost of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13840/14]
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Billy Kelleher
Question:1217. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if Fampyra will be included on the drug payment scheme or other schemes such as GMS, DPS or LTI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14215/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 988, 1110, 1127, 1129, 1133, 1135, 1151 and 1217 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
However, neither the Minister for Health or the HSE have responsibility for health services provided in a private health setting. Such arrangements are a private contractual matter between the patient and the care provider(s).
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine (Fampyra®) in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie). The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug.
The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. In these circumstances, the HSE has not approved the reimbursement of Fampridine under the GMS or other community drug schemes.