Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the conclusion of new four-year Framework Agreements in principle on the pricing and supply of medicines, describing them as a major step in improving patient access while safeguarding the sustainability of the health service.
The Agreements, which will run to 31 December 2029, provide long-term certainty at a time when the State’s annual medicines bill is approximately €4 billion.
Minister Canney said the agreements strike an important balance between faster access for patients and responsible financial management.
“These four-year agreements are designed to deliver faster access to medicines for patients, including a clear commitment to achieving a 180-day timeline for reimbursement decisions, while also strengthening the security of medicine supply and reducing the risk of shortages,” Minister Canney said.
“They will also encourage the timely launch of off-patent medicines, helping to streamline access to affordable generic and biosimilar treatments, while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our health service at a time when medicines costs are significant.”
Minister Canney highlighted that the agreements sit alongside a major investment in medicines in 2026.
“With medicines spending now at around €4 billion annually, it is essential that we have a stable and predictable framework in place. This year, over €200 million in additional funding is being provided for medicines, with €30 million ringfenced to support access to new and innovative drugs, including treatments for rare diseases.”
He said the multi-annual nature of the agreements provides certainty for patients, clinicians and industry alike.
“By planning over a four-year period, we are putting patients first while also ensuring value for money for the State. These agreements give confidence that access to medicines can be improved in a sustainable and responsible way.”
