Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
480. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has completed the review of a report (details supplied) in respect of the drug reimbursement process; when this report and the key recommendations are expected to be published; the reason for the continued delay in publishing this report given that Covid-19 is no longer as large a public health risk as it once was; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38262/22]
View answer481. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason that a report (details supplied) submitted to him in January 2020 at a cost of €86,000, has still not been published; if he will commit to prioritising its review and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38263/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.
Following 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, 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. Consequently, this meant that it was necessary to reallocate resources in order to support essential services.
My Department aims to complete its consideration of the report’s recommendations when resources permit.
