Ireland's pharma industry to deliver further saving to the state of 15 million euros

Effective July 1 next the cost to the Irish government of 780 medicines, most of which are supplied by member companies of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), will fall.

The reductions, which will result in additional savings to the state of an estimated 15 million euros ($16.8 million), are in accordance with Clause 5.2 of the 2016 Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines between IPHA, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and reform and the HSE.

IPHA chief executive Oliver O’Connor said: “IPHA member companies continue to deliver savings. The purpose of the Agreement was to create budget headroom for new medicines. We have played our part. Despite this, the HSE now has no budget available for new medicines. This is unacceptable. Despite very large savings to the state, medicines that are routinely available in other EU member states are not available to patients in Ireland.”