Medicines for Ireland (MFI) has recently published its General Election manifesto, setting out the critical need to ensure patient access to affordable, life-saving, and life-enhancing medicines.
MFI has called on all political parties to prioritise investments in medicines and systems that deliver value for patients and the State. The manifesto underscores the critical importance of a resilient and sustainable generics, biosimilars, and value-added medicines industry. The key asks contained within the manifesto are particularly timely in light of rising medicine costs, an ageing population, and the increasing burden of chronic diseases.
In its manifesto, MFI is calling for:
- Patent reform for fair competition: Address barriers to early market entry for off-patent companies to ensure the State can recover overpayments when patents are invalidated. Encourage the HSE to engage early in court cases to recover losses. In one example known to MFI, the State could have saved over €26 million in just eight months had the patent been invalidated and the HSE been a party to the preliminary injunction proceedings.
- Access to essential and affordable medicines: Guarantee the availability of vital medicines at accessible prices; implement the recommendations of the Mazars report to enhance transparency and efficiency in the medicines reimbursement process; and collaborate with EU counterparts to address medicine shortages through a European Critical Health Act.
- An industry fit for the green, digital era: Embrace sustainability and digital innovation in the healthcare sector; support the use of technologies to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance patient care; and engage with the off-patent industry to ensure environmental policies do not hinder the availability of essential medicines.
Chairperson of MFI Paul Neill said: “As we approach a critical juncture in Ireland’s healthcare landscape, we must prioritise the accessibility and affordability of essential medicines. Our manifesto outlines a clear path to achieving this by addressing the barriers to early market entry for generics and biosimilars. By implementing these reforms, we can ensure that Irish patients have timely access to the treatments they need, while also delivering significant cost savings to the State.
“Our manifesto emphasises the need for patent reform and greater market competition to drive down costs and improve access to essential medicines. We are committed to working with policy-makers to create a healthcare system that is both efficient and equitable for all Irish citizens.”
s
MFI member companies include Accord Healthcare, Celltrion Healthcare, Clonmel Healthcare, Consilient Health, Fannin, Fresenius Kabi, Pinewood Healthcare, Sandoz trading as Rowex, Teva, and Viatris.
