Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The Health Service Executive (HSE)-Medicines Management Programme (MMP) recognises the potential savings by increasing the utilisation of best-value medicines (BVM), including biosimilars and hybrid medicinal products. As of June 2025, there are five medicinal products containing teriparatide available on the national reimbursement list in Ireland; the reference medicine, Forsteo®, three biosimilar medicines, Movymia®, Sondelbay® and Terrosa®, and a hybrid medicinal product, Tetridar®. The MMP have identified BVMs for teriparatide on the national reimbursement list.
METHODS: This study evaluates the use of the BVMs process in promoting uptake of BVMs and generating efficiencies for the health service in Ireland. It was performed using the HSE-Primary Care Reimbursement Services national pharmacy claims database. Data on all claims for teriparatide between 1 February 2023 and 29 February 2024 were included; the identified BVMs are Movymia® and Sondelbay®. The non-BVMs included are Forsteo®, Terrosa® and Tetridar®. Analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel™.
RESULTS: The MMP published a report identifying BVMs for teriparatide on 7 February 2023. Since 1 March 2023, it is HSE policy that all adult patients who are commencing treatment with teriparatide should be prescribed one of the recommended BVMs for teriparatide. After one year of implementation of the MMP recommendations, the percentage of patients in receipt of a teriparatide BVM on the national reimbursement list increased from approximately 15% in February 2023 to approximately 66% in February 2024.
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of BVMs as part of Health Technology Management (HTM) enhances the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines and products whilst also controlling utilisation and expenditure. Using this approach, a significant increase in the uptake rate of teriparatide BVMs has been achieved.