Brendan Griffin
Question:1271. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding the treatment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21877/20]
View answerTuesday, 8 September 2020
Questions (1271)
Written answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, the company must submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the reimbursement list. Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria.
I am advised by the HSE that the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) received an application for Zolgensma in April 2020 . On 13 May, the NCPE completed the rapid review and recommended a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Zolgensma compared with the current standard of care.
This HTA is now being undertaken as a part of the Beneluxa collaboration as a joint HTA assessment between Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium, with Austria acting as a reviewer.
Based on the outcome of this joint HTA, the participating countries will decide if the joint assessment will be followed by a joint pricing negotiation.
As Minister for Heath, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on treatment plans for individual patients. I therefore advise the Deputy that any queries concerning any specific patient’s potential treatment with Zolgensma should be directed to the HSE and Children’s Health Ireland.