Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
614. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department has carried out any review of the processes in place which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and new uses of existing medicines to be funded and-or reimbursed since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35335/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing 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. This meant that this work stream was suspended to reallocate resources to support essential services.
My Department aims to complete its consideration of the report’s recommendations when resources permit.
