671. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health for an update on the consideration for medications (details supplied) to be included in the drugs payment scheme, specifically in relation to their usage for weight management in patients at risk of developing type two diabetes. [67224/26]

The Government is committed to investing in new medicines. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated €158 million for new drugs. This has facilitated the introduction of 250 new medicines/ new uses for existing medicines, including 101 for oncology and 70 for rare diseases.

Budget 2026 allocated €30 million of funding available for new drugs to be allocated from the overall additional €217 million in funding provided this for the medicines budget. This has enabled the funding of 40 new medicines/ new uses for existing medicines, including 17 for oncology and 9 for rare diseases, for the period from January 2026-3rd September 2026.

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines.

There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed. The HSE considers the criteria set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement.

Further information on status of medicines undergoing pricing and reimbursement can be found at: www.sspcrs.ie/portal/rdt/pub/application/home.

672. Reply not received from Department.