AQW 20603/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/06/2021
Answered On Date: 28/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what proposals he has to make sapropterin (Kuvan) avaialble for routine use, as in neighbouring countries and in line with National Institute for Clinical Guidance advice to be published in August 2021, to reduce the risk of permanent brain damage in children diagnosed with Phenylketonuria.

Answer:

My Department has a formal link with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) under which technology appraisals for drugs are reviewed locally for their applicability here. Where found to be applicable they are endorsed by my Department for implementation within the Health and Social Care system.

The NICE expects to publish final guidance on 18 August 2021, after which my Department will consider it under the process set out in circular HSC (SQSD) 2/13 available at:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dhssps/hsc-sqsd-2-13.pdf