‘Parliamentary Questions’

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In a reply to a Parliamentary Question on the National Centre for Pharmoeconomics (NCPE), Minister of State at the Department of Health, Ms. Shortall said: The National Centre for Pharmoeconomics (NCPE) plays an important role in the assessment process of new medicines. The findings of the NCPE are not however the sole deciding factor in the process of allocating resources for new and expensive treatments.  The NCPE report is an input into decision making and not the decision. Read the rest of this entry »

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In a reply to a Parliamentary Question on  Hepatitis C Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly said:  I am pleased to confirm that a decision has been made to make Boceprevir (Victrelis) and Telaprevir (Incivo), which are Hepatitis C protease inhibitor drugs,  available within the hospital system for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The new treatments have been found to be effective in treating adult patients with Hepatitis C genotype 1 infection, who have compensated liver disease and who are previously untreated, or who have failed previous therapy.  The use of these drugs requires a detailed programme of treatment and monitoring of progress.  The HSE is putting in place the protocols and structures to allow treatment to begin as soon as possible. 

Anyone who meets the criteria under the protocols will have access to these new treatments.

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In a reply to a Parliamentary Question on Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card the Minster of Health Dr James Reilly said: The Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card is given to men, women and children who contracted Hepatitis C from the administration within the State of blood or blood products. 

Under the Health (Amendment) Act,1996 the entitlement of an individual to a HAA Card and to related services is decided by the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive.  The CEO is bound by the definition of eligibility in the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006, which requires a positive diagnostic test for applications received by the Tribunal after the specified date of 20 June, 2006. Read the rest of this entry »