Children Diagnosed with Achondroplasia and Funding Its Treatment under Rare Disease Fund

Debated in Parliament on 10 Jan 2023.

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Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry of Health about the number of children diagnosed with Achondroplasia in Singapore over the past decade, the prospects of funding its treatment under the Rare Disease Fund, and the possibility of engaging Voxzogo's manufacturers for more affordable access.
Ong Ye Kung stated that Achondroplasia affects approximately one in 30,000 newborns globally but the Ministry does not collect local data, and the drug Vosoritide (Voxzogo) is not registered in Singapore, so no clinical or cost assessments have been conducted.
The Rare Disease Fund prioritizes funding for life-threatening rare conditions with treatments that extend lifespan, and with rising healthcare costs, authorities worldwide are reviewing financing policies to maintain affordability and cost-effectiveness.

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Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Health (a) how many children in Singapore are diagnosed with Achondroplasia in the past 10 years; (b) what are the current prospects of funding the treatment of Achondroplasia under the Rare Disease Fund; and (c) whether the Ministry will engage the manufacturers of Voxzogo to achieve more affordable access to the drug.

Ong Ye Kung

Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that causes abnormal bone and cartilage growth, leading to short stature and disproportionate growth. MOH does not collect data on the number of patients diagnosed with achondroplasia, but globally, the condition affects around one in every 30,000 newborns.

The drug Vosoritide, sold under the brand name Voxzogo, is intended to increase linear growth in children with achondroplasia. Vosoritide is currently not registered in Singapore. MOH has therefore not assessed the drug for clinical and cost effectiveness, nor conducted pricing negotiations with the manufacturer.

Further, given the limited size of the Rare Disease Fund (RDF), funding support is focused on rare conditions that are life-threatening and where the treatment is effective in extending the patient's lifespan.

Vosoritide is just one example. With medical advances, there will be novel and high-cost treatments for many medical conditions. Healthcare authorities in the world are finding themselves needing to review their healthcare financing policy, including healthcare insurance system, to ensure treatments remain cost effective and affordable.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry of Health about the number of children diagnosed with Achondroplasia in Singapore over the past decade, the prospects of funding its treatment under the Rare Disease Fund, and the possibility of engaging Voxzogo's manufacturers for more affordable access.
Ong Ye Kung stated that Achondroplasia affects approximately one in 30,000 newborns globally but the Ministry does not collect local data, and the drug Vosoritide (Voxzogo) is not registered in Singapore, so no clinical or cost assessments have been conducted.
The Rare Disease Fund prioritizes funding for life-threatening rare conditions with treatments that extend lifespan, and with rising healthcare costs, authorities worldwide are reviewing financing policies to maintain affordability and cost-effectiveness.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Children Diagnosed with Achondroplasia and Funding Its Treatment under Rare Disease Fund | PAPERCUTS

Children Diagnosed with Achondroplasia and Funding Its Treatment under Rare Disease Fund

Debated in Parliament on 10 Jan 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry of Health about the number of children diagnosed with Achondroplasia in Singapore over the past decade, the prospects of funding its treatment under the Rare Disease Fund, and the possibility of engaging Voxzogo's manufacturers for more affordable access.
Ong Ye Kung stated that Achondroplasia affects approximately one in 30,000 newborns globally but the Ministry does not collect local data, and the drug Vosoritide (Voxzogo) is not registered in Singapore, so no clinical or cost assessments have been conducted.
The Rare Disease Fund prioritizes funding for life-threatening rare conditions with treatments that extend lifespan, and with rising healthcare costs, authorities worldwide are reviewing financing policies to maintain affordability and cost-effectiveness.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Ong Ye Kung

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry of Health about the number of children diagnosed with Achondroplasia in Singapore over the past decade, the prospects of funding its treatment under the Rare Disease Fund, and the possibility of engaging Voxzogo's manufacturers for more affordable access.
Ong Ye Kung stated that Achondroplasia affects approximately one in 30,000 newborns globally but the Ministry does not collect local data, and the drug Vosoritide (Voxzogo) is not registered in Singapore, so no clinical or cost assessments have been conducted.
The Rare Disease Fund prioritizes funding for life-threatening rare conditions with treatments that extend lifespan, and with rising healthcare costs, authorities worldwide are reviewing financing policies to maintain affordability and cost-effectiveness.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Children Diagnosed with Achondroplasia and Funding Its Treatment under Rare Disease Fund

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Ong Ye Kung

Summary

Questions Identified

Children Diagnosed with Achondroplasia and Funding Its Treatment under Rare Disease Fund

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Ong Ye Kung

Summary

Questions Identified