A new Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines between the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) took effect from 1 January 2026 and runs to 31 December 2029. Key provisions include:
- Horizon scanning: pharmaceutical companies must notify the HSE of new medicines 12–18 months in advance of expected launch.
- Rebate structure: declining from 9% (2026) to 5% (final year) for newly listed medicines.
- Transparency: an online tracker for all applications going through the pricing and reimbursement process, with indicative timelines.
- Rapid Review reports: to be issued within 4 weeks of commissioning and dossier validation.
- Reference pricing basket: the UK was included in the May 2026 price realignment basket only, then removed for 2027–2029 due to post-Brexit pricing divergence.
Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines (FASPM) 2026–2029. Government of Ireland, Department of Health. March 2026. https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/collections/the-framework-agreement-on-the-supply-and-pricing-of-medicines-faspm-20262029
