159. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health whether she has considered adding a home INR monitoring system (details supplied) to the HSE reimbursement list for patients who require regular anticoagulation monitoring; whether an assessment has been undertaken of the potential benefits of home INR self-testing in improving patient outcomes, reducing demand on primary and secondary care services, and enhancing patients' quality of life. [67340/26]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.

The HSE have advised that CoaguChek® meters and International Normalised Ratio (INR) self-testing strips are not reimbursable under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, the Community Drug Schemes, or the Community Funded Schemes.

Whilst a range of diagnostics are available on the HSE's formal Reimbursement List for use in Diabetes, a change in HSE policy would be required to expand this to other therapeutic areas such as INR testing ancillaries.

The HSE have further advised that on very rare occasions, CoaguChek® strips were approved for reimbursement in the most exceptional circumstances under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements where it was clear that there was no other option for the patient i.e., the person was bed bound or could not travel to the INR clinic.