In line with our commitment to ensure licensed versions of older medicines remain available for Irish patients, Azure Pharmaceuticals is pleased to the launch the next medicine in our expanding portfolio, Propranolol.
The original branded version of this important blood pressure medication was discontinued many years ago. In the intervening period, the HSE has reimbursed a version of it using the Exempt Medicines Protocol (EMP).
Azure applied for pricing equivalent to that of the EMP versions of Propranolol in December 2023, finally securing approval this month. Notwithstanding the delay in the approval process, we decided to proceed with launch plans, notifying the EMP suppliers of their obligation to withdraw the EMPs from the market, keeping the IPU appraised of the situation.
- Propranolol 10mg tablets x 50; Price to wholesale: €4.07
- Propranolol 40mg tablets x 50; Price to wholesale: €3.24
The delay in the HSE approval process highlights once more concerns many of us share in this area. Having secured licensed supply for a market as small as Ireland, for the reimbursement authority to take nine months to reimburse a licensed alternative at the same price it was paying for an unlicensed version of the medicine is a serious matter, particularly at a time when we need to be doing everything possible to alleviate medicine shortages. These are budget-neutral matters which should lend to speedy decisions.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.