Annual Cost of Taking Risdiplam for Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Decisions on Drug Advisory Committee Recommendations

Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the annual cost of taking risdiplam for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in view that the Ministry’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended “risdiplam 0.75 mg/mL powder for oral solution” for inclusion in the Medication Assistance Fund from 1 August 2024; (b) whether the current Standard Drug List Subsidy Framework is enough to alleviate this cost for patients; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider increasing the subsidy to make it more affordable for patients.

Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Health (a) how often does the Ministry accept recommendations from the Drug Advisory Committee; and (b) what are the considerations of the Ministry in accepting recommendations from the Drug Advisory Committee.

The annual cost of risdiplam in Singapore is currently about S$375,000. Following the Drug Advisory Committee's (DAC’s) recommendation to subsidise risdiplam under the Medication Assistance Fund subsidy framework, eligible patients in public healthcare institutions can receive up to 75% subsidies for risdiplam from 1 August 2024. Patients who face affordability concerns after subsidies may apply for financial assistance, such as MediFund, at public healthcare institutions.

The estimated cost impact to the public healthcare system of listing risdiplam for subsidies is derived from the projected number of patients that require risdiplam in Singapore and the cost of treatment.

DAC is a standing committee that regularly makes evidence-based recommendations to Ministry of Health (MOH) for drugs to be subsidised. These recommendations are based on objective considerations, such as clinical need of patients, clinical and cost effectiveness of the treatment, and budget impact. Recommendations are surfaced to MOH three to four times a year. Thus far, MOH has accepted these recommendations.