The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) today publishes new analysis demonstrating the exceptional economic and strategic contribution of the pharmaceutical sector to Ireland, as industry leaders gather for the IPHA Annual Conference 2026 – “Steering Through Disruption” at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, shifting global trade dynamics and preparations for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Goodbody Economic Report for IPHA shows that the pharmaceutical sector has reached record levels of employment, output, exports and tax contribution, underscoring its central role in Ireland’s and Europe’s economic resilience.
Crucially, today’s conference highlights how this economic strength can now be matched by a system that delivers faster access to innovative medicines for Irish patients, supported by the newly concluded IPHA Framework Agreement.
The report confirms that the pharmaceutical industry is a cornerstone of Ireland’s economy, revealing that the sector continues to outperform all historic benchmarks:
Ireland is now the EU’s second‑largest pharmaceutical exporter and hosts the highest number of FDA‑registered drug‑manufacturing sites per capita in Europe, reflecting its global leadership in high‑value biologics, advanced therapeutics and complex manufacturing.
As Europe seeks to compete globally in advanced therapies, biologics and next‑generation medicines, the report shows that Ireland is one of the continent’s strongest and most competitive life‑sciences hubs, with deep expertise in high‑value biologics, sterile injectables and advanced therapeutics manufacturing.
A central theme of today’s conference is turning this economic strength into patient impact, faster, fairer, and more predictable access to innovative medicines.
The newly concluded IPHA Framework Agreement is designed to deliver precisely that:
The Agreement also aligns with Ireland’s priorities for its forthcoming EU Presidency, where regulatory efficiency, innovation pathways and Europe‑wide patient access will be central policy themes.
Industry leaders emphasise that the Agreement is a directional change — shifting Ireland toward a system that values innovation, supports long‑term investment, and strengthens Ireland’s role as a global manufacturing and R&D hub.
Shane Ryan, IPHA President, said: “Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector is one of the most competitive anywhere in the world – powered by exceptional talent, deep expertise and a strong track record of delivery. We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland, while also making a major contribution to jobs, growth and the economy. Today’s Goodbody report shows just how important our sector has become, not just for Ireland, but for Europe, and for global healthcare.”
“The challenge now is to ensure patients can access innovation as quickly as we deliver it. The new Framework Agreement is a critical step forward in supporting patients in Ireland gain faster access to innovative and life-changing medicines, whilst empowering clinicians to provide the best care available. The Agreement is the result of a shared ambition and significant collaboration between Government and our sector – creating the basis for a lasting strategic partnership that backs innovation, strengthens supply chains, and, above all, improves outcomes for patients.”
IPHA Chief Executive Oliver O’Connor, added: “This report confirms that the pharmaceutical industry is one of Ireland’s greatest strategic strengths. It is an engine of stability and growth — delivering record exports, high‑value employment and major tax contributions — even as the global environment becomes more uncertain.”
“This economic strength should clearly translate into patient benefit. The new IPHA Framework Agreement marks a decisive shift towards a system that values innovation and ensures patients in Ireland can access breakthrough medicines faster. With Ireland soon taking up the EU Presidency, we have a major opportunity to lead Europe toward a more competitive, innovation‑friendly, and patient‑focused future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Full report attached and can be accessed here.
Conference details here
* The Goodbody report says “there is a range of estimates from 28,000 to 75,000 for the numbers of workers in the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland, with each differing due to definitional and sampling considerations.
The most comprehensive historical series of employment is the detailed breakdown from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The level of employment in the Basic pharmaceutical products and preparations category (NACE 21), matching most closely the definitions used in the trade data shows that there were 75,200 workers in the sector as of Q4 2025 (+19% yoy, amounting to 2.7% of the Irish workforce.”
