Cancer drugs for “several new clinical indications” are now being covered by the VHI, the private health insurer has confirmed. The drugs are currently available to public patients, but not for all the clinical indications listed by the private health insurance company. The VHI recently wrote to consultants about the drugs, pointing out that the clinical indications listed are in line with international best practice and subject to prior approval. Prof Barry said making some cancer drugs available to some private patients raises an “equity issue”. The HSE said it has already approved 23 new drugs for reimbursement to date this year, including a number of new cancer drugs and has more applications scheduled for consideration during the year.

Source: Irish Examiner April 15, 2019 17:03 UTC