Minister for Health announces commencement of formal talks with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 29 September 2025
- Last updated on: 29 September 2025
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has today announced the commencement of discussions between the State and Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) on the Framework Agreements on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines.
These discussions will aid the development of a new multiannual Agreement which supports the financial sustainability of medicines and improves access to innovative new medicines for patients.
The commencement of formal talks follows extensive preliminary engagement between the Department of Health, Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and IPHA.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“I am pleased that these formal talks have commenced. This longstanding relationship has been an important one, particularly for patients in Ireland, contributing towards a sustainable supply of innovative medicines.
"We remain committed to supporting timely access to new and innovative medicines. This is underpinned by the continued collaboration between the State and the pharmaceutical industry on our shared objectives of reaching decisions on applications within the context of existing legislation for the benefit of patients.
“I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry to realise our shared ambition for enhanced access and affordability of medicines in Ireland.”
Notes
The State has entered into agreements with the pharmaceutical industry since the 1970s, bringing certainty and stability to the supply and pricing of medicines.
The 2021-2025 Agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association was signed in December 2021. A parallel Agreement with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) was also signed in 2021. The State will separately negotiate with MFI on a potential successor Agreement in due course.
Budgets 2021 to 2025 provided €158 million for new medicines. This funding is in addition to annual funding for medicines which has risen to in excess of €3 billion per year. This has enabled the HSE to approve 238 new medicines for patients in Ireland.