Dara Murphy
Question:765. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the inclusion of fampridine in the drug purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18788/14]
View answerWednesday, 30 April 2014
Questions (765, 802)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:802. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if the drug fampyra which has shown to have very encouraging results in the treatment of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis with regard to their ability to walk and general mobility would be made available via the long term illness card and medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18998/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 765 and 802 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.
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.