Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
211. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms that are in place to ensure that high cost oncology medicines are prescribed in the most cost effective manner without compromising patient outcomes. [28353/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is committed to providing timely access to new and innovative medicines to all patients. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 provides a rigorous process for the assessment of new medicines for reimbursement.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines. This ensures that the right medicines are chosen, and approval is at a sustainable price.
There are a suite of measures in place to ensure that high-cost oncology medicines are prescribed in the most cost-effective manner without compromising patient outcomes.
These measures include online platforms and electronic management systems, such as the HSE PCRS National Drug Management System (NDMS) and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Oncology Drug Management System (ODMS), that are designed to ensure that oncology and other high-tech hospital medicines are properly documented and that hospitals are reimbursed accurately by the HSE. Enhancements to these systems are ongoing.
Oncology medicines reimbursed under the High Tech Arrangements are currently being deployed to the High Tech Hub infrastructure. The 1st deployment took place in February 2026 with the next deployment scheduled for May 2026. The High Tech Hub will enhance the oversight of cost-effective prescribing. As an ordering and management function, the High Tech Hub ensures full transparency with prescribing, ordering and supply.
Other supports for cost-effective prescribing in cancer include the increasing availability of biosimilars for certain high-cost oncology biologic medicines, which offer opportunities for significant cost savings. To encourage and support their appropriate use, the HSE has published guidance on the use of biologic and biosimilar medicines in acute hospital settings linked here: assets.hse.ie/media/documents/HSE_Guidance_for_Biologic_and_Biosimilar_Medicines_use_in_Acute_Hospitals.pdf.
The HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) has implemented Managed Access Protocols for certain high-cost oncology medicines, including larotrectinib and entrectinib, aligned with reimbursement criteria.
