The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to reimburse etrasimod (Velsipity®) from the basic healthcare package. This medicinal product can be used in certain patients with ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the intestines. The reason for this advice was the placing of the medicinal product in the so-called ‘lock procedure’ for expensive medicinal products’.
Current state of affairs: advisory report sent to the Minister
The National Health Care Institute has sent this advice to the Minister of VWS. The Minister makes the final decision whether or not to reimburse the medicinal product from the basic healthcare package.
Etrasimod is intended for certain people with ulcerative colitis
Etrasimod is the active substance. The brand name is Velsipity®. The medicine is taken as a tablet once a day.
It can be used in certain people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the intestines. Chronic means that the inflammation never completely goes away. Patients may have periods when the disease is more or less active. They may experience diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss and a general feeling of discomfort. If the inflammation does not decrease, it may be necessary to remove part of the intestines. These are adult patients who are unable to control the disease with a TNF-alpha inhibitor. A TNF-alpha inhibitor is a common treatment for this condition.
Advice of the National Health Care Institute on the reimbursement of etrasimod
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to reimburse etrasimod (Velsipity®) from the basic healthcare package. A condition for this is that the medicinal product cannot be more expensive than the standard treatment already being reimbursed.
More information or questions?
If you have any questions about this advice, please send your question to the National Health Care Institute via warcg@zinl.nl. If you have questions about the reimbursement of a medicinal product, the personal expenses or whether you should pay a contribution, please ask your health insurance provider.
How did the advice come about?
The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) asks the National Health Care Institute to carry out an assessment. The final decision as to whether or not reimbursement from the basic healthcare package will take place lies with the Minister.
Watch the video to learn more about how we approach the assessment of medicinal products.
Explanation of the lock procedure for expensive medicinal products
The Minister has placed etrasimod for this indication in the 'lock procedure for expensive medicinal products'. A medicine in this lock procedure will not be eligible for reimbursement from the basic healthcare package until:
- there is a positive package advice from the National Health Care Institute;
- there are arrangements and safeguards for appropriateness in place;
- price reductions have been successfully negotiated with the marketing authorisation holder.
For more information, see the page ‘Lock procedure for expensive medicinal products’.