Patients with achondroplasia should soon reach a new modern drug. The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic entered into a contract and agreed conditions with the holder of the registration for a medicinal product for the treatment of achondroplasia of a genetic disease causing bone growth disturbance. This step completed the next stage in the process of considering a medicinal product to be classified as a categorised medicinal product, i.e. medicinal products covered by public health insurance.
I am very pleased that Slovak patients are one step closer to another new drug. The Ministry of Health is doing everything possible to get our patients the new modern drugs they need. At the same time, it is taking steps to ensure that funds are used efficiently and transparently, for medicinal products for which there is sufficient evidence of benefit for patients, said Minister of Health Kamil Šaško. The Ministry of Health considers the availability of new medicines and advanced therapy medicinal products for patients with rare diseases as one of its priorities and continues to find sustainable solutions for fair access to treatment.
The Minister of Health also appreciated the cooperation with the holder of this medicine. Thanks also to the constructive approach of the marketing authorisation holder, this important achondroplasia medicine is being moved to the next process and will be dealt with at the hearing by the Categorisation Commission for Medicinal Products, added Minister Kamil Šaško. This panel shall assess the medical, economic and ethical aspects of the inclusion of the medicinal product in the reimbursement system. The Commission is composed of representatives of patient organisations, health insurance companies, the Ministry of Health and professional companies. Final recommendation The Categorisation Commission will serve as a basis for the decision of the Minister for Health to include the medicinal product in the list of categorised medicinal products.
Achondroplasia is a genetically-related congenital disease that mainly affects the skeletal system. People suffering from this disease have low body growth as well as head, spine, and limb deformations.