The agreement between the Government and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) has resulted in savings of about €600 million. However, the pharmaceutical industry is unhappy with the block introduced last year by the Department of Public Expenditure on newly available drugs and medicines being reimbursed by the HSE if they generated additional costs. New drugs which are budget neutral or which result in savings being made are being authorised for reimbursement by the HSE. In the absence of an extension to the current pharmaceutical industry agreement, rebates of about €5 million per month which go to the HSE could be at risk. New and existing medicines can be funded with a combination of industry savings, on-going HSE efficiencies and some new Exchequer funding.

Source: The Irish Times July 10, 2020 15:45 UTC