Funding for Keratoconus preventative treatment approved

Sunday 04 November 2018

HSC has approved funding of £2,000 per patient for preventative treatment for Keratoconus, a progressive eye disease.

A business case proposing this was considered by the Clinical Reference Group earlier this year - a group made up of wide range of health professionals from both primary and secondary care.

This decision has been made in accordance with HSC's current policy regarding the funding of drugs and treatments. HSC has previously made clear its intentions to review the processes and procedures in place surrounding drugs and treatments as this was a key resolution falling out of the Partnership of Purpose. 

So it has now made this decision for this specific disease. Overall, funding can now be given for the preventative treatment of £2,000, per patient, per year. 

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision.

Deputy Heidi Soulsby, the President of Health & Social Care, provided further detail on their review of all drug funding with a successful amendment to the Policy & Resource Plan in June 2018. This review is actively underway and is being progressed in accordance with the key principals of the Partnership of Purpose, including fair access to care and focusing on quality and future funding levels for health and care. 

Any decision on funding of drugs or treatments made by CRG is then considered by HSC at its next budget prioritisation round.