Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
719. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the i-port Advance injection device on the long-term illness scheme for the treatment of persons with type 1 diabetes; and the reason this has not happened before now. [20582/15]
View answer720. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the Health Service Executive will make Medtronic’s i-port Advance injection device available for diabetic children, as proposed by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20583/15]
View answer721. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to making a product (details supplied) available under the long-term illness scheme. [20595/15]
View answer730. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if a product will be made available for children with diabetes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/15]
View answer736. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason Medtronic’s i-port Advance injection device is not included on the long-term illness scheme. [20713/15]
View answer742. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the pricing of a medical device (details supplied) in view of its importance to young persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/15]
View answer757. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding provision of a medical device (details supplied) for young persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20813/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 719 to 721, inclusive, 730, 736, 742 and 757 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 decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or ministerial decisions.
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of the product, i-port Advance™, to be added to the List of Reimbursable Items 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 for the assessment of new medicines.
An Expert Group, chaired by the Clinical Lead of the HSE Diabetes Programme, was convened by the HSE to (i) assess the clinical evidence to support the use of the product, (ii) consider whether the product is appropriate for reimbursement status under Schemes and (iii) assist in the determination of the ‘value’ that the innovation presents. The Expert Group did not find that the product was either clinically effective or cost effective, and therefore did not recommend that the product should be reimbursed. The Director of Primary Care accepted the recommendation of the Expert Group and the company was informed of the HSE's decision on the 20 April 2015.
