Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
773. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for a review of the current availability for the reimbursement support for FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring sensors to be extended to all GMS medical card holders and not just the category of children and young adults in the four to 21 years of age cohort (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46556/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has now commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment of the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System to be conducted by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics in collaboration with the Medicines Management Programme. If a positive recommendation arises on completion of the Health Technology Assessment, the Primary Care Reimbursement Service will progress the funding of the device as part of the preparations for the National Service Plan 2022.
Consultant Endocrinologists / Diabetes Nurse Specialists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring sensors. The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3rd April 2018. In line with the recommendations outlined by the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults (4 -21 years). However, the application process does cater for applications in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient outside of this group.
