Written Answers Nos. 2086-2103
2086. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his position in relation to the national cancer strategy and placing Ireland in the top quartile in Europe for cancer survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19793/21]
View answerThe implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment, and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past three years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme.
Much progress has been made in cancer survival rates. The most recent available data from the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) shows that five-year survival rates for all cancers increased from 42% (1994-1999) to 63% (2012-2016). However, there is a time lag in the compilation of such figures and in calculating international comparisons. Meanwhile, the number of cancer survivors continues to increase, with over 200,000 people who have been previously diagnosed with an invasive cancer now living n Ireland.
Improvements in survival and outcomes are largely attributable to earlier detection and improvements in treatment. The National Cancer Strategy seeks to build on the successes of previous strategies in the areas of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, while also working to maximise the quality of life for patients living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. As indicated, it is an aim of the Strategy for survival rates in Ireland to be within the top quartile of European countries by the end of the Strategy period (2026).
A allocation of €20m has been made for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. This funding will facilitate significant progression of key priorities, including prevention measures, improved access to diagnostics, the further development of medical, radiation and surgical oncology and expanded services to support those living with and beyond cancer.
2087. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the recommendations made in a report by a company (details supplied) in respect of the HSE's systems, structures, processes and governance for reimbursing medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19794/21]
View answerFollowing a tender by the Office of Government Procurement, Mazars conducted a review of the governance structures around the HSE's drug reimbursement process. The report was submitted to my Department in January 2020.
The review made recommendations in respect of the HSE’s systems, structures, processes, governance arrangements and use of specialist resources in respect of the drug reimbursement process.
The report was under consideration by officials earlier last year, however the focus of the Department of Health changed to the immediate public health considerations of the COVID-19 pandemic and the preservation of life. This meant that this work stream was temporarily suspended to reallocate resources to support essential services.
My Department aims to complete its consideration of the report’s recommendations in the near future.
2088. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his plans to place tailored processes for the reimbursement in Ireland of licensed cell and gene therapies given the transformational impact of these treatments on patients and given that the State is already paying for them under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Oireachtas put in place a robust legal framework, in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which gives full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on reimbursement of medicines, taking account of a range of objective factors and expert opinion as appropriate.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licensed 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 including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on 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 a drug's clinical and cost effectiveness as a health intervention.
While the 2013 Health Act does not include provision for a different ruleset when assessing cell and gene therapies, the criteria that apply to the evaluation process allow the HSE to take account of evidence of the benefits associated with each given medicine.
2089. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he plans to publish a national biosimilars policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19796/21]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the prescribing of Best Value Biologic medicines is leading to significant savings for the health service, which is assisting us in facilitating access to new, innovative medicines for patients.
The HSE is actively engaged in implementing effective policy levers across a number of domains and under several initiatives, including the Acute Hospitals Drugs Management Programme, the Medicines Management Programme, and within the Primary Care Eligibility & Reimbursement Service.
The HSE Medicines Management Programme published recommendations in May 2019 in relation to two high tech drugs, adalimumab and etanercept. That year, the HSE also introduced the Gainshare Initiative, which provides a financial incentive to public hospitals and clinics to pursue biosimilar treatment switching programmes. By December 2020, almost 12,000 patients have switched to a best-value-biologic (BvB), almost 57% of the claims submitted to PCRS for payment was for the BvB alternative to the originator biologic and associated annual savings in excess of €46 million has been achieved.
While progress has been positive, the Department of Health and HSE are continuously monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of current levers to ensure that the State can capitalise on the most efficient policy approach.
There is value and savings to be gained from the adoption of biosimilars technology. However, progress in this area has to be carefully planned and implemented, with patient’s confidence and assurance at the forefront of any new initiatives and developments.
Despite the impediment of Covid-19, the HSE are progressing well in achieving savings in this area whilst maintaining the engagement of clinicians and the confidence of patients in the safety and efficacy of this technology.
2090. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the medicines and indications added to the reimbursement list in 2020 and to date in 2021; when they were added during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19797/21]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
2091. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken in order to improve treatment options for women experiencing miscarriages; if additional funding will be available for research in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19801/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2092. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce more treatment options for women’s health during pregnancy or after pregnancy including immune investigations and evaluations by a reproductive immunologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19802/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2094. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the specific schemes or supports that will be put in place for those who suffer complications or side effects, such as vaccine induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine; and his views on whether it is important that persons who suffer such complications are not left to bear the consequences without Government support given the State indemnified the companies that manufacture the vaccines. [19804/21]
View answerIn June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an Expert Group to review the law of torts and the current systems for the management of clinical negligence claims chaired by High Court Justice Charles Meenan.
The Expert Group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively yet more sensitively with certain cases. In this process the Group also looked at the impact of tort legislation on the overall patient safety culture and open disclosure. Judge Meenan submitted the final report of the Expert Group on the Reform of the Law of Torts and the Current System for Managing Clinical Negligence Claims to my myself and the Minister of Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020.
One of the report’s recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established to deal with certain vaccine damage claims.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board (HRB) carried out an evidence review on vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions and this was completed in March 2019.
The Expert Group’s report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Government Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of any proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation. Work to advance policy development in this regard is underway in my Department.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2095. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if all vacancies (details supplied) are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19817/21]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. I also, in some circumstances within guidelines, re-appoint members to state boards.
2096. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a proposal (details supplied) to resource seven additional eye clinic liaison officer posts around the country; his plans in this regard; the details of any analysis carried out by his Department into the creation of these additional posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19826/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2097. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the Covid-19 vaccination centres currently in use; the date from which each of these centres is in use; the number of persons who have been vaccinated in each of these centres, respectively since they first came into use for this purpose; the weekly cost of renting each of these premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19830/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2098. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if an arrangement has been put in place in which cross-Border workers can be vaccinated in the jurisdiction in which they work and pay tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19831/21]
View answerIreland is participating in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. Six APAs have been negotiated by the Commission under this process to date.
Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccines as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
Vaccine are being made available without charge to all persons resident in the State.
2100. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners that have been transferred to the Central Mental Hospital in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19835/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2101. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners currently awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital; the length of time in days each of the prisoners has been awaiting transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19836/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to permit indoor social settings (details supplied) to reopen and or resume activities for the cohorts of persons fully vaccinated in view of the mental health benefits that they provide. [19854/21]
View answerFollowing advice from NPHET, the Government announced that, as of 30 March, fully vaccinated people may meet with other fully vaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing a mask or staying 2 metres apart. This change was made on the basis of the strong evidence showing the protection that is provided by vaccination and also in recognition that individual benefits derived from vaccination are important incentives to maintain momentum in the ongoing vaccination programme.
In providing advice to Government on this matter, the NPHET advised that a cautious and step-wise approach should be taken to the application of differentiated advice or measures to those that are fully vaccinated and advised that fully vaccinated people should continue to follow all other public health restrictions along with the rest of the population at this time.
In its consideration of these matters, the NPHET noted that at that time only a small number of countries have issued differentiated advice for those who are fully vaccinated. It also noted that the numbers fully vaccinated in Ireland were still relatively low and that there still is not full evidence in relation to the impact of vaccines on transmission, the period of vaccine induced immunity and the risk of reinfection, as well as the impact of variants on vaccine effectiveness. As with all issues in relation to COVID-19, this issue will be kept under review by the NPHET.
More generally, the NPHET and the Government will consider the epidemiological position again at the end of this month and it is anticipated that a roadmap for the further easing of measures over the coming months will be agreed.
