Ireland joins group to negotiate drug prices

Ireland has joined an international alliance designed to strengthen its hand in price negotiations with big pharma in an effort to improve Irish patients’ access to new and innovative drugs.

While Health Minister Simon Harris was unable to achieve the level of savings the other four members of BeNeLuxA have enjoyed by being part of the alliance, he is adamant that working collaboratively will assist Ireland in sourcing medicines at “affordable and sustainable” prices.

Mr Harris said being part of an alliance that represents 50m people instead of just 5, — the other members of BeNeLuxA include Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Austria — means Ireland will have “more leverage” in negotiations.