NDMP scheme implemented for multiple sclerosis in Ireland

Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) National Drugs Management Program (NDMP) and Neurology Program have introduced a national reimbursement scheme which will facilitate access for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to approved high cost treatments.

Instead of individual acute hospitals funding these approved high costs drugs from their hospital budgets, they will now be reimbursed through a centralised process. The drugs covered are US biotech firm Biogen’s Tysabri (natalizumab) and French pharma major Sanofi’s (Euronext: SAN) Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).

The objective for the NDMP is to provide equitable access for patients with MS to these drugs regardless of their geographical location. It also seeks to support hospitals in meeting the financial burden of providing these drugs to patients. Similar schemes are available for high cost oncology and hepatitis C medicines.