Advice - reimburse zilucoplan (Zilbrysq®) for the treatment of myasthenia gravis
The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to reimburse zilucoplan (Zilbrysq®) from the basic healthcare package. This medicinal product can be used in certain patients with myasthenia gravis. If the Minister adopts our advice, zilucoplan will be included in the Medicine Reimbursement System (GVS). Only then will this medicinal product be reimbursed from the health care insurer’s basic health care package. We do however recommend additional conditions for reimbursement.
Zilucoplan is intended for certain people with myasthenia gravis
Zilucoplan is the active substance; the brand name is Zilbrysq®. The medicinal product is an injection that should be given under the skin (subcutaneously) every day.
The medicinal product can be used by certain people with myasthenia gravis (MG). In patients with MG, the immune system targets their own bodies. The immune system works against the substances that transfer stimuli from the nerve to the muscle, thus weakening the muscle. The muscles get abnormally fatigued and paralysis can occur. The characteristics and severity of MG vary widely from patient to patient. In generalised MG (gMG), muscle groups in the head, neck, torso or limbs are affected. The medicine can be used by patients with refractory gMG who test positive for antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChrR). ‘Refractory’ means that it has not proved possible to bring the condition under control with previous treatments.
Advice from the National Health Care Institute on the reimbursement of zilucoplan
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of VWS to reimburse zilucoplan (Zilbrysq®) through the basic healthcare package. The recommendation is to include the medicinal product on List 1B of the GVS. Specific additional conditions apply for (Zilbrysq®), known as the List 2 conditions.
For more information on the GVS and the Lists 1A, 1B and 2, see page ‘Reimbursement of extramural drugs (GVS)’.
Conditions for reimbursement of zilucoplan
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.
Explanation about the reimbursement of medicinal products
Zilucoplan 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 health care package if they are listed in the GVS.