The agreement between MFI and the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and with the Health Service Executive (HSE), hopes to deliver improved access to new and innovative medicines, reductions in the cost of existing medicines, increased security of supply, and an overall easing of financial pressure on the health services across Ireland into the future.

The new framework agreement outlines aspects of general pricing related to reimbursement schemes, the proposed pricing of new medicines, and pricing procedures for generic, biosimilar and hybrid medicines which include setting maximum prices. It also outlines aspects of the supply to HSE and related agencies and ensuring continuity of supply.

It is estimated that the agreement will reduce Irish state spending on medicines by up to €700 million, while dramatically improving access to innovative new medicines for patients nationwide.

A parallel agreement has also been set up between the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the same time period.

The use of generic medicines in Ireland has been encouraged since the 2013 bill delivered by MFI [1] and switching to biosimilars has also been actively encouraged in hospitals since 2019 [2]. In addition, this new framework agreement follows the publication of MFI’s ‘Reductions in the Cost of Medicines – Ireland’s Patients First 2020–2022’ report [3].

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Irish pharmaceutical association urges political parties to create a new medicines policy

Ireland’s National Biosimilar Medicines Policy aims to increase biosimilars use

Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Ireland passes bill to encourage generics use [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Mar 4]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/Policies-Legislation/Ireland-passes-bill-to-encourage-generics-use
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Irish hospitals to get incentives to switch patients to biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Mar 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Irish-hospitals-to-get-incentives-to-switch-patients-to-biosimilars
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Generics and biosimilars can save Ireland Euros 1 billion in five years [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Mar 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/reports/Generics-and-biosimilars-can-save-Ireland-Euros-1-billion-in-five-years

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