Written Answers Nos. 151-159
151. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the position regarding a company (details supplied) application to the Health Service Executive submitted on 25 July 2014 for Fampridine's inclusion in the GMS and community drug scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39512/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the drug Fampyra will be made available for persons who suffer from multiple sclerosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39725/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 180 together.
The decisions made on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer, are not political or ministerial decisions. These are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
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 for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the NCPE conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate sufficient effectiveness and a fair price for Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie).
On foot of this, the HSE decided that it was not in a position to add the drug to the List of Reimbursable Items supplied under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
It is open to the supplier, at any time, to submit a new application to the HSE for the inclusion of Fampridine on the community drugs schemes incorporating new evidence which demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of the drug, by offering a reduced price or both. A revised application was received by the HSE on 25th July 2014 and is currently being considered in line with the agreed procedures and timescales.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the Department, and the HSE, fully understand the concerns of patients regarding the availability of this drug. While I appreciate that some may take the view that the taxpayer should reimburse every licensed medicine for whatever the price the drug company demands, I hope the Deputy will appreciate that the better interests of the health service require that we reimburse only the most effective medicines and only at a fair price.
152. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will provide financial data for the cost savings, not including staff reductions and removal of services, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth, and St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital, Dundalk, County Louth, over the period 2011 to 2013 associated with the implementation of the national energy efficiency action plan. [39514/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSavings associated with the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan are a service issue. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
153. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if she shares views with a disability action group (details supplied) that medical cards should not be means tested, that they should be awarded solely on the basis of need alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39524/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Health Act 1970, as amended, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. The determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE.
Earlier in the year, the Government was concerned that persons with serious medical conditions could not access certain primary/community health services because they did not qualify for a medical card. Therefore, it agreed that the Minister for Health would revert to Government with options for providing eligibility for a range of health services on the basis of specific and defined medical conditions.
The Government has not specified that a person with a medical condition should qualify for a medical card per se. Instead, it agreed that it will take into consideration the recommendations on the specific services that would be of best benefit for a certain condition. The Government also agreed that the options would be developed in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure.
To support this process, the Director-General of the HSE established an Expert Panel to examine and recommend the range of medical conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility. The Expert Panel was chaired by Prof Frank Keane, Past President of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for Surgery. The panel included a range of 23 clinical experts from primary care, specialist services and therapies. It also included a patient representative. The work of the Expert Panel was also informed by on-line public consultation and the convening of a patient representative forum to consider the issues.
The Report was received by the Department of Health earlier this month. This is a detailed report and the Minister for Health is now considering its findings. When he has considered these, discussed them with the HSE and consulted as necessary with the Minister for Public Expenditure and the Attorney General, the Minister will be reporting to Government on the matter.
In that context of the policy decision made by Government, the HSE suspended further reviews of medical and GP visit cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process and eligibility has been extended. In addition, over 11,000 medical cards or GP visit cards were re-issued to persons, with a serious medical condition, who had the renewal of their discretionary card refused by the HSE, having completed an eligibility review during the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014.
154. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health her views that the practice of reviewing medical cards in the case of lifelong illness or disability, in order to avoid situations whereby applicants are asked whether they still suffer from what they have already told the Department is a lifelong condition, such as Down's syndrome, should cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39525/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Health Act 1970, as amended, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. The determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE and the HSE reserves the right to review eligibility at any point in time to confirm that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility.
Under the review process, applicants are not asked if they - or a family member - still has a lifelong condition or illness as medical cards are not awarded based on a medical condition and, in this regard, such like questions would be neither pertinent nor appropriate.
However, the HSE is obliged under the review process to ensure that full account is taken of any costs that a family may have that arise from a change in their circumstances, perhaps an exacerbation of an illness or a secondary illness. Any questions on change in circumstances refer to the resultant financial impact and do no not refer to a person still having the particular life-long condition or particular illness.
155. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities or autism who are on waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychological services in County Wexford; the average length of time a person may expect to wait for such services; and her views that it is acceptable that long waiting lists prevent vulnerable children and adults from accessing vital early interventions that, if accessed in a timely manner, can have positive and life changing effects. [39526/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
156. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if paediatric inflammatory bowel disease may be recognised by the Health Service Executive as a long term illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39534/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
157. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a decision on their home help hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39540/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39555/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
159. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason funding has been cut to a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39560/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
