The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (WVS) to cancel the reimbursement conditions for relugolix in combination with estradiol and norethisterone acetate (Ryeqo®). This medicinal product can be used for the treatment of patients with severe menstrual blood loss due to uterine fibroids. It can additionally be used for the treatment of endometriosis. The medicine is already included in the Medicine Reimbursement System (GVS) and is reimbursed under conditions from the basic health insurance package.
Current state of affairs: advisory report sent to the minister
The National Health Care Institute has sent this advisory report to the Minister of VWS. The Minister makes the final decision whether or not to cancel the reimbursement conditions for this medicinal product.
Reason: request from the physicians’ association
The Dutch Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (NVOG) has asked for the reimbursement conditions to be cancelled. These were once set up at the request of the NVOG for appropriate use. However, it is not feasible to apply the conditions in practice. This is mainly because it is impossible to predict exactly when a woman will enter the menopause stage.
Relugolix is intended for the treatment of fibroids and endometriosis
Relugolix in combination with estradiol and norethisterone acetate is the active substance. The brand name is (Ryeqo®). The medicinal product is a tablet taken orally.
This medicinal product is used for the treatment of patients with severe menstrual blood loss due to uterine fibroids. This may affect adult women of childbearing age. The medicinal product can be used for patients with endometriosis. In that case, uterine mucosa grows outside the uterus, for example on ovaries or fallopian tubes and further into the abdominal cavity.
Advice from the National Health Care Institute on reimbursement conditions for relugolix in combination with estradiol and norethisterone acetate (Ryeqo®)
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (WVS) to cancel the reimbursement conditions for relugolix in combination with estradiol and norethisterone acetate (Ryeqo®). This promotes appropriate care for patients.
For more information on the GVS and lists 1A, 1B and 2, see the page on ‘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 Dutch Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (NVOG) has asked the National Health Care Institute to cancel the reimbursement conditions. The Minister makes the final decision whether or not to cancel the reimbursement conditions.
Explanation about the reimbursement of medicinal products
Ryeqo® is an extramural medicinal product. ‘Extramural’ means medicines for home use that can be obtained at the pharmacy with a prescription from a physician. They are only reimbursed from the basic healthcare package if they are listed in the GVS.