Committee criticises HSE over drugs evaluations

The failure to set up a separate evaluation process for orphan drugs and the lack of opportunity for patient engagement when considering their reimbursement has been criticised by politicians from all parties.

The criticism aimed at the HSE at yesterday’s Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health comes at a time when the State has either refused or has yet to decide on reimbursement of a number of orphan drugs.

The therapies — to treat extremely rare conditions — include genetic emphysema drug Respreeza; Kuvan for treatment of rare metabolic disease PKU; and Translarna, for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (progressive muscle degeneration).