Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2015
139. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the Medtronic’s i-port advance injection device; the cost of this device; his plans to make it available under the long-term illness scheme in view of its reported effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20882/15]
View answer146. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the assessment of the i-port advance injection device for approval to be included in the long-term illness scheme. [20933/15]
View answer152. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding of a medical device (details supplied); his plans to include it on the long-term illness scheme or primary care reimbursement scheme; the additional cost which would be incurred from funding this product; his plans to consider co-payment for the product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20970/15]
View answer158. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made to make Medtronic’s i-port advance injection device available on the long-term illness scheme; the reason for the delay in making this product available to children with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20988/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 146, 152 and 158 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.
