Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2019
390. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of Duodopa for peritoneal dialysis patients in view of the fact that the health technology assessment process has been completed by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29328/19]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. As Minister, I have no role in this statutory process.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, including the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug's clinical and cost effectiveness as a health intervention.
The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro, ongoing investments. This can lead to a protracted deliberation process.
I wish to advise you that the NCPE completed a health technology assessment on 14 June 2019 on levodopa and carbidopa intestinal gel (Duodopa) for patients with Parkinson's disease.
The NCPE recommendation was that levodopa and carbidopa intestinal gel (Duodopa) not be considered for reimbursement unless cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments.
The HSE's final decision on reimbursement will take into consideration the statutory criteria contained in the 2013 Health Act.
The NCPE recommendation is available on the NCPE website at http://www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Duodopa-Website-Summary-final.pdf
