The Health Minister has launched Northern Ireland's first
strategy focused on the sustainable use of medicines.
‘Valuing Medicines: A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of
Medicines in Northen Ireland' aims to support improvements in the
use of medicines within the Health and Social Care (HSC) system,
ensuring they add value to health, are cost-effective, and
environmentally sustainable.
Health Minister said: “With annual
medicines expenditure now reaching £875 million, it is vital that
we all work together to make the best possible use of our
medicines.
“My Department already delivers significant efficiencies
from the prescribing budget through the Medicines Optimisation
Regional Efficiency (MORE) programme, which saves around £20
million each year. However, further action is still
needed.
“Medicines optimisation not only delivers cost benefits
for the HSC system, it can also help reduce carbon emissions,
improve patient safety and ensure equitable access to innovative
treatments and technologies for future generations.”
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison added: “Medicines
have a vital role in helping to prevent, treat, and cure disease.
They are our most common medical intervention and are relied upon
to support health and wellbeing throughout life.
“However, with medicine costs increasing annually, we need to
take action to protect access to medicines for the future. This
strategy sets out what we intend to do to help ensure the
sustainable use of medicines and embed a culture of valuing
medicines within the HSC and the wider population.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the public
consultation. These responses were invaluable in shaping the
strategy we have launched today.”
The new strategy seeks to embed sustainable medicines practice
into all HSC settings, promoting a culture that:
• Allows
equitable access to appropriate, safe and cost-effective
medicines.
• Involves
patients in decisions about their medicines, promotes preventive
care, and improves access to non-medical therapies.
• Reduces waste
and the environmental impact of medicines.
• Drives
improvement through data, technology, research and innovation.
Notes to editors:
- ‘Valuing Medicines: A Strategy for the sustainable Use of
Medicines in Northen Ireland' is available here: Valuing Medicines
Strategy-Publication Document | Department of Health
- A public consultation on the Valuing Medicines Strategy was
live from 4th December 2024 – 26th February 2025. You can see the
full report here: Valuing Medicines
Strategy-Final Consultation Report | Department of Health
