Medicines for Ireland

Building the framework for a sustainable
generic, biosimilar and value added
medicines industry in Ireland

About us

Founded in 2016, Medicines for Ireland (MFI) is the established industry voice within the Irish healthcare system, representing the pivotal role and interests of manufacturers and suppliers of generic, biosimilar, and value added medicines.

With MFI members supplying the majority of medicine in Ireland to the HSE and patients directly, we are committed to effecting real change and reforms that guarantee patients have access to the medicines they need at affordable prices. MFI members form a key part of an efficient supply chain which ensures patients can access the medicines they need in a timely manner.

Our industry continues to drive patient access to life-changing and life-saving medicines by bringing competition to the medicine marketplace at the molecule level when patents, data, or market exclusivity expire. Expanded competition has proven to reduce market prices, bolster the security of medicine supply, and motivate originators to drive innovation around new medicines.

Our Vision

Our vision is that all Irish patients can afford and access the medicines they need to get well, stay well, and live well. As an organisation, our core objective is to improve how Ireland procures and supplies medicines to expand patient access to affordable, lifesaving and life-enhancing treatment. 

• Enhance access to safe, high-quality medicines for patients across Ireland at an affordable price.
• Safeguard the supply of medicines to Ireland by ensuring supply chains remain secure and reliable.
• Innovate our approach to acquiring, supplying, and distributing medicines with the dual objective of pushing down costs and delivering greater equality of access nationwide.
• Inform key stakeholders of the specific and wider benefits associated with the increased usage of off-patient medicines.

 Read the full Medicines for Ireland Vision Strategy 2024 – 2029. 

Our Values

Our ambition is to achieve our mission while upholding the following values:

• Patient-centred care
• Professionalism & expertise
• Ethical standards & integrity
• Value & sustainability

Our Work

• Produce up-to-date research, data, and analysis on the benefits of off patient medicines
• Deliver industry insight and expertise to help improve the way we procure and supply to help more patients access treatment at a lower cost
• Inform and education through reports, infographic and learning events
• Drive reform and meaningful change through engagement with key stakeholder including NGO, patient groups, Government and State bodies

Our Footprint

• Over the past year, MFI members supplied 78% of generic medicines in Ireland.
• The volume of generic medicines used has increased dramatically in recent
  years, accounting for 58% of all prescribed medicines in 2023
  compared with just 32% in 2011. In 2023, 68 million units of generic medicines were used compared to 43 million units of non-generic medicines
• MFI played a pivotal role in a new Framework Agreement on the supply and pricing of non-originator, generic, biosimilar, and hybrid medicines, announced by the Government. It is estimated to reduce the State’s spending on medicines by up to €700 million.

What we do?

Since its foundation in 2016, Medicines for Ireland has been promoting the benefits of the increased use of non-patient medicines (known also as generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines) in Ireland.
As an organisation, our core objective is to improve the way Ireland procures and supplies medicines, in order to expand patient access to affordable, lifesaving and life-enhancing treatment.