Makers of MS drug reapply to be covered by HSE scheme

The makers of a drug that helps people with multiple sclerosis to walk have made a new application to have it covered by the Health Service Executive-funded drug schemes.

MS patients are currently paying €500 a month for Fampridine (known commercially as Fampyra), which greatly increases mobility.

In 2012 regulatory authorities concluded Fampyra was not cost-effective. The HSE said the manufacturers, Biogen Idec, had failed to provide any formal justification of the prices proposed.

Biogen says following its initial submission to the HSE it offered a significant discount on the original wholesale price, but this was rejected.

The company says it has now submitted a further “re-pricing proposal” involving “additional and significant reductions” in price, and discussions with the HSE are continuing.

Cost-effectiveness

The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE), which rules on the cost-effectiveness of new drugs, found Fampyra would cost nearly €7,000 per patient each year. It said the €20 million annual cost to the State over five years would take money from other areas.

Since Fampyra was licensed for sale and became commercially available here this year, Biogen started charging for the product.

Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch told the Dáil last week the HSE decided it was not able to approve the original application due to the challenges involved in meeting the Government's targeted €619 million in additional health savings this year.

She said Biogen’s new application was being assessed in line with agreed procedures and timescales.