Request for Cost of Muscular Dystrophy Medication for one child for one year

Summary

A request for the annual cost of medication for a single child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy on the Isle of Man was refused because disclosing the figure would identify a living individual. The authority cited an absolute exemption for personal information but provided a link to a related parliamentary review of the treatment.

Key Facts

• The request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care on 20 January 2017.
• The requester clarified the question to specifically ask about the cost for the one child on the island with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
• The information was withheld under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as absolutely exempt personal information.
• Disclosing the cost would identify the living individual receiving the medication.
• The Minister for Health & Social Care previously addressed the treatment review in Tynwald on 18 October 2016.

Data Disclosed

• 20th January 2017
• 23rd January 2017
• 18th October 2016
• 23rd February 2017
• Section 25
• IM75029I
• 01624 686324

Exemptions Cited

• Section 25 (Absolutely exempt personal information)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Health and Social Care Rheynn Slaynt as Kiarail y Theay REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Act 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request dated 20th January 2017 with clarification provided 23rd January 2017. You asked for: “How much is it costing to provide medication for the 1 child for muscular dystrophy a year?” Upon request, you subsequently clarified your original question to the following: “What is the cost per annum to supply medication for the one child on the island with Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy?” The answer to your question is: Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because an exemption under section 25 (Absolutely exempt personal information) of the Act applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is that by disclosing the requested financial data would identify the cost of medication for an identifiable living individual (their personal data). However, in keeping with the spirit of Freedom of Information, the Minister for Health & Social Care (Hon Kate Beecroft MHK) provided the following answer to the Honourable Members of Tynwald, ‘Ataluren (Translarna) – Review of treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy’ dated 18th October 2016, available via the following link: http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/OPHansardIndex1618/0034.pdf Chief Executive Malcolm Couch Department of Health & Social Care Chief Executive’s Office Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3QA Direct Dial No: (01624) 686324 Email: FOI.DHSC@gov.im
Website: www.gov.im/dhss Date: 23rd February 2017 FOI Reference: IM75029I Page 1 of 2 FOIA/DHSC/PE

Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to: FOI Co-ordinator, Department of Health & Social Care, Chief Executive’s Office, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3QA. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 01. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 02. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://www.inforights.im/information-centre/freedom-of- information
Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours Sincerely Freedom of Information Team Department of Health and Social Care

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