News at One A deal to speed up access to new medicines for public patients
Jan 20, 2026
Oliver O'Connor, Chief Executive of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, discusses a new four-year deal aimed at expediting access to innovative medicines for public patients in Ireland. He highlights a redesign of legal timelines to ensure decisions are made within 180 days. O'Connor also shares insights on which treatments, including those for cancer and rare diseases, will be prioritized. Additionally, he touches on trade concerns related to US-EU relations and the ongoing negotiations around the anti-obesity drug Manjaro.
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Firm 180-Day Timeline For Drug Decisions
- Ministers approved a four-year deal redesigning reimbursement to meet statutory 180-day timelines for new medicines.
- Oliver O'Connor says the system will be reorganised so the HSE makes decisions within the legal 180-day limit.
Focus On Innovation, Cancer And Rare Diseases
- The new arrangements will prioritise innovative treatments, with roughly half expected in cancer care and coverage for rare diseases.
- O'Connor highlights work on early access schemes to improve availability for rare disease medicines.
Engage Early To Reach Price Deals
- Companies should engage with the HSE to reach price agreements as most do in practice.
- O'Connor expects similar negotiations and pricing agreements to occur for contested medicines like Mounjaro.