Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has underscored the significance of Health & Social Care Industry Partnerships (HSCIPs) in delivering benefits to patients, the healthcare system, and the industry.

Minister Nesbitt made his remarks while welcoming the renewal of the HSCIP between the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Northern Ireland Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) at the annual NICON conference.

The Health Minister said: "Since taking up office, I have been clear that a renewed focus on transformation, innovation and tackling health inequalities is needed. Through this HSCIP partnership, parties work together to introduce transformative, medicines-related innovations across the Health and Social Care system. The shared goal is to deliver 'triple win' benefits to patients, the Health and Social care Service and the economy through more rapid and consistent patient access to innovation, more effective use of HSC resources and increased cross-sector research collaboration.

"Efficient use of resources alongside targeted innovation can act as key enablers to help tackle health inequalities, making innovation as widely available to patients as possible, and therefore improve health outcomes for our population. This is an excellent example of working together with partners to deliver on this agenda and I very much welcome the ongoing work of this Partnership." 

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Professor Cathy Harrison, who took part in a NICON panel discussion on Embracing Innovation, including the launch of Industry Partnership Guidance, commented: "The HSC Industry Partnership between ABPI and MOIC works collaboratively to achieve the shared vision of measurably improved outcomes for people affected by a range of health conditions. It is this collaboration that is helping to introduce transformative medicines-related innovations across Health and Social Care and accelerate improvements to the health and wellbeing of its patients."

Professor Mike Scott, Director of the Regional Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) stated: "MOIC are committed to supporting this partnership on behalf of Health and Social Care. As an innovation centre we are uniquely positioned to work alongside the health sector and the private sector to improve medicines use and patient care and look forward to delivering on improved outcomes for patients across a range of initiatives."

Marion Laverty, Head of ABPI Northern Ireland said: "Northern Ireland's uniquely collaborative model of partnership between our industry and the health system has the power to transform pathways of care, support the system to prepare for and benefit from life sciences innovation, and above all to improve patient outcomes. Industry looks forward to working with MOIC and the Department over the next five years to make this potential a reality."