Advice - reimburse mirikizumab (Omvoh®) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis
The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to reimburse mirikizumab (Omvoh®) from the basic health care 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’.
Mirikizumab is intended for certain people with ulcerative colitis
Mirikizumab is the active substance. The brand name is Omvoh®. The product is administered in 2 parts. The first part is administered via an IV. The second part is administered by subcutaneous injections.
The medicinal product can be used in people with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the intestines. 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 from the National Health Care Institute on the reimbursement of mirikizumab
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to reimburse mirikizumab (Omvoh®) from the basic health care 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 Scientific Advisory Board (WAR) advises the National Health Care Institute about the assessment. The Minister makes the final decision whether or not to reimburse the medication from the basic health care package.
Lock procedure for expensive medicinal products
The Minister has placed mirikizumab for this indication in the lock procedure for expensive medicinal products. A medicinal product in this lock procedure will not be eligible for reimbursement from the basic health care 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 manufacturer.
For more information, see the page ‘Lock procedure for expensive medicinal products’.