Northern Ireland Ministers welcome cross-border collaboration on innovation in healthcare and medicines optimisation

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was joined by the Irish Minister of State Alan Dillon TD at an event to showcase pharmacy practice and medicines optimisation innovation.

Mr Dillon is Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail, and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Circular Economy.

The event also explored opportunities for cross-border working to address shared healthcare challenges.

Over the past decade, the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) in Northern Ireland has emerged as a beacon of innovation in healthcare, particularly in the realms of medicines optimisation. Established in 2015 by the Department of Health, MOIC has made significant strides in enhancing health outcomes, reducing inefficiencies and minimising waste in medicine use through research, collaboration and knowledge transfer.

At the event, MOIC and the Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) in the Republic of Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will build on existing relationships and allow for further collaboration to benefit the population's health across the island of Ireland.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I welcome the formal signing of the MOU between MOIC and HIHI, strengthening the relationship between both organisations. Collaboration is the foundation upon which a resilient, patient-centred healthcare system is built.

“By working together, across sectors and borders, we can tackle shared challenges, engage in knowledge transfer, share best practice, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients across the island of Ireland.”

Minister Alan Dillon said: “Today marks a significant milestone in healthcare innovation and collaboration across the Island of Ireland. The signing of the MOU underscores our commitment to advancing innovation in healthcare and medicines optimisation through shared expertise and resources.

“This partnership not only enhances our healthcare systems but also strengthens our economies by fostering job creation and supporting indigenous enterprises on this island. Together, we are paving the way for a healthier future and demonstrating that innovation knows no borders."

Professor Mike Scott, Director, MOIC, stated: “I am thoroughly delighted to have formalised this agreement with HIHI and look forward to the future opportunities that our collaboration will undoubtedly bring.”

Dr Tanya Mulcahy, Director of HIHI, said: “Collaborating across the island of Ireland enables us to harness the full potential of our collective talent, infrastructure, and ideas to deliver real-world impact in healthcare. By working together, North and South, we strengthen our ability to support innovators, improve patient outcomes, and position this island as a global leader in health innovation."