18/06/2012

IPHA Say HSE Not Funding New Medicines

The organisation representing the pharmaceutical industry has claimed that patients are not getting access to new medicines.

The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) also claims that the HSE is not funding medicines that have been independently deemed as cost-effective.

David Gallagher, President of the IPHA, said that over the last six to eight months, effectively no new innovative medicines have been added to the drug reimbursement scheme.

He said that there were a good eight or ten medicines that have gone through the licensing process and a health technology assessment that have been proven to be cost effective.

Mr Gallagher said, "that ordinarily there would be reimbursement, but since September they haven't been added to the reimbursement scheme."

IPHA said patients are not getting access to new medicines for multiple sclerosis, heart conditions, bipolar disorder and Hepatitis C, while there are restrictions on others.

The HSE has set a target of €112m in drug savings this year, adding that it negotiates directly with drug companies on price to try and find a sustainable way to make new drugs available for public use.

An agreement between the IPHA and the Department of Health on the provision of medicines lapsed at the end of February and discussions are under way on a new agreement.

(H)


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