Debated in Parliament on 28 Feb 2023.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider working with the manufacturers of the drug Vosoritide (i) for the registration of the drug or (ii) to allow the drug to be listed under the Medication Assistance Fund to enable children who are suffering from achondroplasia to have more affordable access to the drug and coverage under local medical insurance policies.
Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that causes abnormal bone and cartilage growth, leading to short stature and disproportionate growth. The drug Vosoritide, sold under the brand name Voxzogo, is intended to increase linear growth in children with achondroplasia.
The Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) scheme was implemented in August 2010 to support patients who require moderate- to high-cost treatments which have been assessed to be clinically and cost-effective. Vosoritide is currently not registered in Singapore and no application has been submitted to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The Ministry of Health has, therefore, not assessed the drug for clinical and cost-effectiveness, nor conducted pricing negotiations with the manufacturer.
Manufacturers who wish to register medications for supply in Singapore may submit an application and the scientific data to HSA for quality, safety and efficacy evaluation.
PAPERCUTS