Patients could see faster access to new medicines, fewer shortages, and more access to generic medicines under deals agreed between the Government, HSE, and pharmaceutical industry on Tuesday. Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said this was “a major step forward in improving access to medicines for patients”. A key issue is reducing how long public patients wait for new medicines to be assessed compared to private patients. An agreement with Medicines for Ireland, an industry body, focuses on supply, including shortages. Companies will be encouraged to launch generic medicines more quickly after a patent expires.

Source: Irish Examiner January 20, 2026 17:30 UTC