Medicine for Inclusion in Rare Diseases Fund

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1459
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 20 OCTOBER 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of ParliamentMs Nadia Ahmad SamdinMP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question No. 2321

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are circumstances where the more efficacious rather than cheaper medicine can qualify for inclusion in the Rare Diseases Fund; (b) if so, what are these circumstances; (c) what threshold of acceptable evidence that the medicine is likely to substantially extend a patient's lifespan and improve their quality of life is required; and (d) whether the Government will consider creating a tiered support model which provides partial support for treatments that can be more efficacious but may not be the cheapest available.

Answer

 
A small number of patients are unfortunately inflicted with Rare Diseases every year. The treatments are often expensive, lifelong, with varying efficacies.

Healthcare financing systems are not designed to support such treatments, and hence the Government established the Rare Disease Fund (RDF) for these patients. It is a charity fund that provides long-term financial support for Singapore Citizens with rare genetic diseases. Government tops up $3 for every $1 raised. It is overseen by an independent RDF Committee comprising community representatives, and advised by a panel of medical experts, which determines the medicines to list for coverage as well as the amount of financing support for each application. 

A key consideration of the Committee when evaluating applications is the effectiveness of the treatment in extending a patient’s lifespan and improve their quality of life. This can vary across each rare disease, given their uniqueness and complexity. Further, given the limited size of the fund, the benefits have to be weighed against the cost of the treatment.

For treatments that are supported, the Committee then determines the quantum of support. So in effect, a tiered support model as suggested by the member is in place.

As more funds will be needed to enable more medications to be listed and conditions covered, we encourage members of the public to support the RDF with their donations. Donations attract 3 for 1 government matching and are eligible for a tax deduction of 2.5 times the donation amount.