Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
26. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will supply data for the ten fastest and ten slowest approvals of orphan drugs by the HSE, by year, for the period 2014 to 2023, stating the date on which the applications for said drugs were received by the HSE and the date on which a reimbursement decision was subsequently made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9461/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. This arises from the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act provides a rigorous process for the assessment of new medicines for reimbursement. This enables taxpayers to be confident that the right medicines are chosen, at a sustainable price. However, price is not the only concern. The Act specifies nine criteria which must be considered. These include the health needs of the public and the clinical need for the medicine. All these factors, taken together, allow the HSE to make an informed decision on new medicines.
The State is committed to providing timely access to new and innovative medicines to all patients. Budgets 2021 - 2023 provided almost €100 million of dedicated funding for new drugs. This enabled the HSE to approve 148 new drugs, 39 of which had orphan designation. We are also making changes to speed up the process. In Budget 2024, I secured funding for an additional 34 staff across the pricing and reimbursement process. This will give each organisation greater capacity, and I am confident it will shorten the time taken to reach decisions on reimbursement.
In respect of the data you have requested, I have asked the HSE to send this to you directly.
