Written Answers Nos. 181-186
181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in granting payment of a nursing home support scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16953/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding. [16956/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery of health care facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
183. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the drug fampyra in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16957/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised to the Deputy, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine (Fampyra®) in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of Fampridine in the Irish health care setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie). The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug.
The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. In these circumstances, the HSE has not approved the reimbursement of Fampridine under the GMS or other community drug schemes.
In relation to the individual case raised by the Deputy, the HSE has been asked to investigate the specific issues surrounding this case and respond directly to the Deputy.
184. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed primary care centre for Dungarvan, County Waterford; if progress has been made in securing a public private partnership, PPP, partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17009/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsiderable progress has been made in developing the primary care centre PPP project. The HSE lodged the planning application for the Dungarvan primary care centre in November 2013 and has been advised that planning has been approved. Details are available on the local authority website.
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) published a Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) / Pre-qualification Questionnaire in the OJEU on 19 December 2013. Four submissions were received by the closing date which was 10 March 2014. Information can be located at the following web address - http://www.ndfa.ie/TenderCompetitions/PrimaryCareCentresPPPProgramme.htm
It is expected that 10-14 sites (indicative number 12 based on affordability) will be delivered as part of a single PPP contract with the remaining centres to be delivered by the HSE using other procurement means.
185. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the efforts taken to reduce opiate consumption in Cork city. [17012/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the level of funding allocated to reduce opiate consumption in Cork city during each of the past five years. [17013/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
The National Drugs Strategy sets out drugs policy in Ireland for the period up to 2016. Drugs policy encompasses five pillars - supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research and clear actions are in place for implementation. I am satisfied that good progress is being made across the actions of the Strategy, with the involvement of the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, and that emerging issues and threats around problem drug use are being addressed in a timely and effective manner.
The HSE provides opioid substitution (mainly methadone) in a number of treatment settings to meet the needs of individual drug users.
These settings include:
- primary care through GPs and community pharmacies;
- satellite clinics that facilitate opioid substitution provision through community pharmacies;
- treatment centres where opioid substitution treatment is dispensed on site; and
- residential rehabilitation facilities.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
