Pharmacists, stakeholders and members of the public have been urged to inform a new consultation on the sustainable and cost-effective use of medicines in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is looking to build a strategy on the sustainable use of medicines in the country and is seeking views on a set of proposals aimed at supporting improvements.

The consultation is focused on 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.

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.’

She added: ‘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.

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

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 £875m, it is vital that we focus on sustainable solutions that ensure access to innovative treatments and technologies for generations to come.’

The consultation closes on 26 February 2025.