Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1333. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give due consideration to expanding the National Fund for Biologic Medication for severe asthma (to include Anti-igE and Anti-il-4il-1 3 biologic treatment); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48597/23]
View answerImproving outcomes for patients with Severe Refractory Eosinophilic Asthma remains a priority for the HSE. The Severe Asthma Advisory Group (SAAG) under the clinical governance of the National Clinical Programme for Respiratory has developed and approved Managed Access Protocols (MAPs) for each Anti-IL5 (benralizumab, mepolizumab, and reslizumab) which can be viewed here: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/drugs-management-programme/protocols/severe-refractory-eosinophilic-asthma.html.
Applications from SAAG designated severe asthma centres for patients who meet the eligibility criteria of the respective MAPs are approved for central funding. The Acute Hospital Drug Management Programme in Acute Operations operationalise this process.
