* HSE cuts reimbursement prices for oral nutritional supplements by up to 38 per cent
WITHIN just two weeks, the entry of Irish start-up Nualtra into the market for Oral Nutritional Supplements has facilitated the HSE to significantly cut the reimbursement price in a number of categories in the November ‘Clinical Nutritional Price List’. As a consequence, the HSE has realised cost savings of up to 38 per cent in these categories and is positioned to achieve annual potential savings of €10 million to the Irish Government and tax-payer.
“Nualtra has facilitated the reduction in the price the state pays for a number of supplements by setting a new reference price in four key product categories making substantial cost savings possible by the introduction of Nutriplen, Nutriplen Protein & Nutricrem,” said Paul Gough, MD & Founder of Nualtra.
“We have developed a great-tasting range of supplements and are pleased to be working with dietitians, GPs, Public Health Nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals to introduce our products to patients who need assistance with their nutritional intake. As we launch further products, we will be able to achieve further savings for the taxpayer by setting new reference prices in other product categories”
Nualtra’s products are for people with or at risk of disease related malnutrition wanting to improve their nutritional intake to aid recovery from illness, for those trying to maintain or improve their weight and for those hoping to compensate for poor dietary intake, secondary to illness or ageing.
Professor Michael Barry, Clinical Director of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics which evaluates medicines prior to reimbursement under the Community Drugs schemes has welcomed the launch of the Nualtra range of products, remarking that “this innovation is a significant development in the Irish healthcare setting and is welcome news for both healthcare professionals and the public.”
