Written Answers Nos. 157-165
157. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the Orkambi drug to persons with cystic fibrosis through the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21649/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.
The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) of pharmaceutical products for the HSE, and can make recommendations on reimbursement to assist the HSE in its decision-making process. The NCPE used a decision framework to systematically assess whether the drug is cost-effective as a health intervention
I am informed that, following a request from the HSE, the NCPE carried out an assessment of the manufacturer's economic dossier submitted in March 2016 on the cost effectiveness of lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi). This dossier included details on all relevant costs and relevant cost offsets including hospitalisation, disease management costs, intravenous antibiotics, adverse events and any additional costs arising in patients not taking Orkambi.
The NCPE has completed its HTA and submitted it to the HSE. The NCPE determined, following an evaluation of the economic dossier, that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness or value for money from using the drug. The NCPE have confirmed that all relevant costs were included in the analysis.
A summary of the HTA has been published on the NCPE website and is available at: http://www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Website-summary-orkambi.pdf.
The HSE will enter into negotiations with the manufacturer, to seek very significant price reductions. The HSE will then consider the outcome of these negotiations, together with the NCPE recommendation and the range of statutory criteria including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available, in making a final decision on reimbursement.
158. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for a swift appointment for a person (details supplied) given the extenuating circumstances. [21650/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
159. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of psychiatric units in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21651/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
160. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the salaries on offer for senior management positions in teaching hospitals and in hospital groups are acting as disincentives to securing suitable candidates; and the number of vacant senior management positions in teaching hospitals and hospital groups. [21652/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
161. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive is seeking to have the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform review the officially sanctioned salary rates for senior management posts in teaching hospitals and in hospital groups. [21653/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of Hospital Groups represents a very significant reform of our hospital services. As I have stated previously, I intend to continue to implement Hospital Groups on an administrative basis.
In 2014 my Department, in partnership with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, undertook a review of senior management pay in agencies funded under Section 38 of the 2004 Health Act. Included in this review were the heads of some of the main teaching hospitals. Rates of remuneration for these posts were adjusted with effect from 14 of September 2015 for new incumbents, and these rates can be found within the current Consolidated Salary Scales for the public health sector.
Rates of pay for senior management posts in the Hospital Groups have been approved with the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the details are as follows:
Group CEO - National Director Level 3 (€142,000);
Group COO - Assistant National Director Level (€90,514 - 110,183);
Group CFO - Assistant National Director Level (€90,514 - 110,183);
Group Clinical Director - Clinical Director Allowance to be paid at the standard rate; and
Group Director of Nursing - Director of Nursing (Band 1) (€70,031 - 81,552).
In the context of the further development of the Hospital Groups, remuneration levels of senior management will be kept under review.
162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason a medication (details supplied) has been removed under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21656/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
163. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery. [21657/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
164. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [21692/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
165. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for surgery. [21696/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
