The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to reimburse nemolizumab (Nemluvio®) from the basic healthcare package. This medicine can be used for certain patients with skin disorders. 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 advisory report to the Minister of VWS. The Minister makes the final decision whether or not to reimburse the medicinal product from the basic healthcare package.
Nemolizumab is intended for certain people with moderate-to-severe skin disorders
Nemolizumab is the active substance. The brand name is Nemluvio®. The medicinal product is an injection that is given under the skin.
It can be used in people with moderate-to-severe eczema due to a hereditary predisposition. In eczema, patches of the skin are itchy, can become reddened or may have flakes, bumps, fissures or scabs. The marketing authorisation holder has requested reimbursement for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic eczema in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older who are eligible for systemic treatment.
The medicinal product can also be used in people with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis. Prurigo nodularis is a skin condition with severely itching lumps, usually on the arms and legs. This condition usually occurs in adulthood and is difficult to treat. As a result, the symptoms often persist for a long time.
The National Health Care Institute advice on the reimbursement of nemolizumab
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of VWS to reimburse nemolizumab (Nemluvio®) from the basic healthcare package. The National Health Care Institute's advice is provided that inclusion of nemolizumab in the basic healthcare package should not be more expensive than standard treatments for the aforementioned conditions.
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 Scientific Advisory Board (WAR) advises the National Health Care Institute when issuing a package advice. The Minister makes the final decision whether or not to reimburse the medicinal product from the basic healthcare package.
Explanation of the package lock procedure for expensive medicinal products
The Minister has placed nemolizumab in the 'lock procedure for expensive medicinal products' for this indication. A medicinal product 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’.