IPHA welcomes the confirmation today (Tuesday 29th September) from the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, that the State will enter into formal talks on a new Framework Agreement on Pricing and Supply of Medicines.
IPHA welcomes the confirmation today (Tuesday 29th September) from the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, that the State will enter into formal talks on a new Framework Agreement on Pricing and Supply of Medicines.
The commencement of the talks was enabled by assurances to IPHA by the Minister that “in the context of a new Agreement and the engagements to support the development of same, the State is committed to working with you [IPHA], productively, with the explicit aim of achieving the timelines set out in legislation.” Those timelines, which have been highlighted by IPHA, refer to the HSE making a decision on an application for reimbursement of a new medicine within 180 days (excluding clock stops), as set out in the Health Act 2013. We believe this is the first time a Minister for Health has confirmed a policy to achieve the timelines in the 2013 legislation.
We believe that this is a significant confirmation from the Minister for Health that can deliver faster access to new medicines for patients in Ireland. We fully agree with the Minister’s position that to achieve this target of 180 days “requires a shared understanding of the role played by all actors in achieving this and where necessary appropriately targeted interventions, including evidence-based capacity investments.”
We are committed to working constructively with the State to ensure patients in Ireland have faster and fairer access to new medicines.
