Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
514. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the duration between commissioning and completion of the full health technology assessment of tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes; and whether her Department has conducted any review of timelines in the medicines assessment process since 2023. [15815/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State has successfully negotiated a new Agreement in Principle on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with IPHA and MFI, which will commence from this year and last until the end of 2029. The agreement provides a commitment and a structured process towards achieving a 180-day timeline, for completing health technology assessments (HTA) and reimbursement decisions. The structured process will be implemented over the lifetime of the Agreement.
The Mazars Review published in 2023 found that Ireland’s pricing and reimbursement system was operating as intended and within international norms however a number of key recommendations were made on foot of this review.
Along with increased resourcing across the pricing and reimbursement system (34 additional staff now hired) the development of a tracker was recommended to increase transparency for all stakeholders and subsequently launched in 2024. The HSE will continue the tracker’s development with the introduction of indicative timelines for each step of a medicine’s assessment process.
In terms of the pricing and reimbursement applications for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
