Written Answers Nos. 613-632
613. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the formal 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35334/22]
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.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost-effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess a drug's clinical and cost effectiveness as a health intervention.
To facilitate increased patient involvement during the HTA process, the NCPE promotes a patient submission which provides an opportunity for the views and experience of patients, carers and their families to be considered as part of the assessment of a particular medicine. The NCPE provides the full patient submission to the CPU as part of the documentation for consideration by the HSE Drugs Group.
In 2018, the Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases (RDTRC) was introduced by HSE Leadership (as recommended by the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland) with responsibility for:
1. Reviewing proposals received from industry or expert groups in Ireland for funding of new products for rare diseases, or expanded indications for existing products for rare diseases and making recommendations as to the implementation of the relevant recommendations from the National Rare Diseases Plan 2011-2018; and
2. Providing contributions to the development of clinical guidelines for relevant Orphan Medicinal Products (OMPs) and supporting the implementation of guidelines in conjunction with the National Drugs Management Programme Office where applicable.
The Committee’s recommendations for reimbursement of OMPs are not intended to replace any part of the existing medicines appraisal or reimbursement process, but to complement it.
The Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee also facilitates the input of patient and clinician perspectives to assist the Drugs Group in its reimbursement recommendations to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT).
The HSE Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members and clinicians.
The Drugs Group considers the NCPE assessment, the outputs from commercial engagements, patient interest group submissions, and any other pertinent information in advance of providing its recommendation to the HSE EMT.
The HSE EMT is the decision-making body for the reimbursement of medicines under the Health Act 2013 and it will, following receipt of the outcome of the Drugs Group's deliberations, make the decision on whether a given medicine will be approved for reimbursement. The HSE EMT decides on the basis of all the demands with which it is faced (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new uses of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the 2013 Health Act.
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.
615. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of rapid review dossiers submitted to the HSE from 2016 to date, broken down by the number of dossiers presented that were successful and unsuccessful in the medicines contained in the dossiers being added to the reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
616. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the role of the HSE corporate pharmaceutical unit and the National Centre for Pharmaeconomics; the number of whole-time equivalent staff assigned to the unit and centre respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35337/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) was established in 1998 and its remit is to advise the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to the cost-effectiveness of medicines, through the carrying out of health technology assessments (HTAs).
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the NCPE. The NCPE conducts HTAs for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions.
The NCPE's workload has increased significantly in recent years, from fewer than 10 assessments per year in 2007 to 98 assessments in 2021. In addition, the complexity of individual assessments has increased.
Following an independent review of the NCPE's work in 2017, an additional €750,000 was allocated by the Minister for Health in 2018 to support the working of the NCPE, increasing its staffing from 10.5 to 20.5 WTEs.
The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications.
The HSE CPU is currently staffed by 12 WTEs.
617. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the role and composition of the HSE drugs group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35338/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, including the administration of the HSE Drugs Group, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
618. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the composition of the HSE executive management team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35339/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE Senior Management Team is composed of 12 postholders.
They are:
1. The Chief Executive Officer
2. National Director Internal Audit
3. Head of Corporate Affairs
4. Chief Information Officer
5. Chief Clinical Officer
6. National Director of Communications
7. Chief Financial Officer
8. Chief Operations Officer
9. Chief Strategy Officer
10. National Director of Human Resources
11. National Lead Testing & Contract Tracing
12. Chief Technology Transformation Officer
The structure in place at any time may be reconfigured in order to best respond to current challenges faced by the Health Service Executive in delivering better healthcare for the citizens of Ireland.
619. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all waiting lists for access to mental health services for children and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
620. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full breakdown of all waiting lists for all health care services, including primary care, community care, acute care, mental health, dental and orthodontic or any other area; the total cumulative number of patients on any form of health waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35341/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) collects and publishes OPD, IPDC and GI Scope waiting lists for acute scheduled care, available here: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
In relation to the query raised on a complete breakdown of all waiting lists for all health care services, I have asked the HSE to provide a direct response to the Deputy.
621. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the range of waiting lists held by the HSE or any other body; the full range of waiting list categories across all health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35342/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) collects and publishes OPD, IPDC and GI Scope waiting lists for acute scheduled care, available here: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
In relation to the query raised on the the complete range of health service waiting lists held by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to provide a direct response to the Deputy.
622. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of contracts the HSE has with a company (details supplied), broken down by contract type, the nature of the contract, the service the contract provides and all HSE funding provided to the company, broken down by year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I've asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
623. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE spent on agency staff in each of the years 2018, 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022 and by the name of the agency, by each year spend, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I've asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
624. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the targeted domestic recruitment campaigns that are in place to hire staff for children's disability network teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35345/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra625. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the targeted international recruitment campaigns that are in place to hire staff for children's disability network teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35346/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra626. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering introducing a sponsorship programme for children's disability network teams; the way that such a programme would work; the estimated cost of rolling out such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35347/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra628. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the use of a relocation allowance to support any international recruitment campaigns aimed at filling vacant posts for children’s disability network teams; the estimated cost of providing such an allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35349/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra631. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the number of therapy assistants in the system with HSE-supporting individuals to return to education to qualify as therapists; the supports that would need to be put in place to facilitate such training and education; the estimated number of persons targeted to avail of such education; the estimated costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35352/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 624 to 626, inclusive, 628 and 631 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
627. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering introducing an apprentice programme for therapy grades; the way that such a programme would work; the estimated cost of such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35348/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
629. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing graduates as therapy assistants while they await CORU registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35350/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
630. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of therapy assistant posts required if he were to approve such posts to graduates while they await CORU registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35351/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
632. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total cost to the HSE of general practitioners providing Covid-19 testing to patients for 2021 and up to May 2022, by month and by the number of general practitioners or practices who received amounts greater than €10,000, €20,000, €50,000, €100,000 or €250,000, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 and has an underlying condition which puts them at a high risk of severe illness from Covid-19 should contact their GP. When assessed by a GP, the GP will decide whether there is a need to be tested for COVID-19. If so, the GP can arrange a PCR test at a HSE test center or at home if the person concerned is unable to attend a center. The GP Covid-19 assessment is without charge.
Covid-19 testing services otherwise sourced directly from a GP practice is done so on a private basis and as such is not reimbursed by the HSE.
