Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2026
390. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the process involved with the end-to-end review that her Department is undertaking in relation to the drug reimbursement process; when she anticipates it will be completed; her plans for gauging with stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47940/26]
View answerThe State has successfully negotiated new Framework Agreements on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA).
These Agreements provide commitments and a structured process towards achieving a 180-day timeline, for completing health technology assessments (HTA) and reimbursement decisions by Q1 2029.
This structured process will be implemented over the lifetime of the Agreements and will involve, starting this year, a strategic end-to-end review of the pricing and reimbursement system its functioning. The review will consider each element of the pricing and reimbursement process and will make recommendations for the State’s consideration. A tender for conducting this strategic review was published on Monday 15th June. Once commenced, the projected timeline for the review is six to nine months.
The reviewer will engage with relevant stakeholders in a structured manner which will be established prior to awarding of a contract. Along with other measures outlined in the Agreements, implementation of recommendations arising from the end-to-end review will enable faster access to medicines for patients in Ireland.
