Public Consultation On Sustainable Medicine Use Launched

The Department of Health has initiated a public consultation on a new strategy for sustainable medicine use in Northern Ireland.

The proposed strategy aims to optimise the use of medicines within the health and social care system, ensuring that they are both effective and cost-effective. The consultation seeks public input on various proposals to achieve this goal.

The Department is encouraging healthcare professionals, patients, and other interested parties to participate in the consultation and share their views on how to improve the use of medicines in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt said: "To continue meeting the needs of our population, we must work together to make the best use of medicines. With annual medicines expenditure in Northern Ireland now reaching £875 million, it is vital that we focus on sustainable solutions that ensure access to innovative treatments and technologies for generations to come.”

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Professor Cathy Harrison said: "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. "It is also important that we seek to make positive changes in relation to the environmental impact of medicines. By reducing waste and lowering the carbon footprint of medicines we can align our efforts with broader climate action goals and protect our environment and health for the future.

"The Valuing Medicines Strategy outlines a clear vision for achieving these goals. It promotes the sustainable use of medicines and seeks to build a culture where medicines are truly valued within both the public and the Health and Social Care system.

"I would encourage the public, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to share their views and help shape this important work."

The Department is inviting feedback from all interested parties on the recommendations outlined in the strategy under four key themes:

• Equitable Access to Medicines – Ensuring patients have equitable access to appropriate, safe, and cost-effective medicines.

• Patient-Centred Care – Involving patients in decisions about their medicines, promoting preventive care, and offering options alongside prescribed medicines.

• Environmental Sustainability – Reducing waste and the environmental impact of medicines.

• Innovation and Improvement – Driving improvement through data, technology, research and innovation.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and close on 26 February 2025.