The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to adjust the reimbursement conditions for house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (Acarizax®). This medicinal product can be used in patients with persistent inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by house dust mites. This medicine is already in the Medicine Reimbursement System (GVS) for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and older. The Minister has since adopted our advice. This means that this medicinal product will also be reimbursed from the basic health care package for children aged 5 to 11 years.
Update July 2025: reimbursement conditions extended as of 1 August 2025
The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has adopted the recommendation of the National Health Care Institute. This means that as of 1 August 2025, the reimbursement conditions for house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (Acarizax®) have been extended. As a result, this medicinal product can also be reimbursed for children aged 5 to 11.
House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy is intended for certain people with inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by house dust mites
House dust mites is the active substance. The brand name is Acarizax®. The medicinal product is a tablet that is placed under the tongue.
The medicine can be used in patients aged 5 to 65 years with persistent moderate to severe allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites despite the use of symptomatic medicines. House dust mites are tiny animals that live in the dust in the house. It eats skin flakes from humans and animals. Many people are allergic to house dust mites. An allergy to house dust mites can cause symptoms such as allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The symptoms of inflammation of the nasal mucosa are similar to those of a common cold. Sometimes medicines to suppress inflammation of the nasal mucosa do not work well enough. If an allergy to house dust mites is suspected, the general practitioner can suggest a skin prick test or blood test. These tests can help determine if there is an allergy to house dust mites.
Advice of the National Health Care Institute on the reimbursement of house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (Acarizax®)
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to adjust the reimbursement conditions for house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (Acarizax®).
Only for an insured person with persistent house dust mites-induced allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, diagnosed on the basis of clinical history and a positive house dust mites sensitisation test (skin prick test and/or specific IgE), despite adequate medical management.
For more information on the GVS and the Lists 1A, 1B and 2, see page ‘Reimbursement of outpatient medicines’.
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 Minister makes the final decision whether or not to reimburse the medicinal product from the basic healthcare package.
Explanation about the reimbursement of medicinal products
House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy is an extramural medicinal product. Extramural means: medicines for home use that can be obtained at the pharmacy with the prescription from a physician. They are only reimbursed from the basic healthcare package if they are listed in the GVS.