Advocating for new medications

Medications

When a new anti-seizure medication is developed, and where there is long-term clinical research supporting its use, Epilepsy Ireland will advocate that the medication be reimbursed in Ireland – meaning it is available free of charge on both the Long-Term Illness and Medical Card schemes.

Why?

Epilepsy is an incredibly individual condition and due to the individual nature of the condition, it can often be a journey in finding the right treatment course for a person’s individual epilepsy. Up to 70% of people living with epilepsy can become seizure free if the right treatment for their epilepsy is identified.

The more options that are available to clinicians to potentially treat their patients, the better – but it is equally important that patients can access new medications – particularly when they have proven clinical research around their potential positive impact for patients. Access to more proven medications, may help a person become seizure free or significantly improve their quality of life – this is why it is important that they are approved for reimbursement.

What do we do?

We closely monitor global developments around emerging treatments and track when pharmaceutical companies bring forward new medications for regulatory approval in Europe and other jurisdictions. We will liaise with regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical companies alike, encouraging them to bring forward applications for patients in Ireland without delay.

When applications for reimbursement are brought forward in Ireland, and where there is long-term clinical evidence supporting a medication’s use in epilepsy, we will make a supportive submission to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics supporting reimbursement.

Progress to date

To date Epilepsy Ireland have successfully advocated for the reimbursement of Epidyolex and Cenobamate – the two most recent new medications to be developed and to have sought reimbursement in Ireland in recent years. 

We expect to be involved in the reimbursement process for Fintepla over the course of 2024.

Latest News 

The below are some of the latest updates in relation to the reimbursement of new medications and associated articles in the news section of our website where you can read more.