Teva UK advocates on behalf of Northern Irish patients in the House of Lords

Ensuring Equitable Access to Medicines: A Case Study from Northern Ireland

At Teva, ensuring that patients have timely and equitable access to the medicines they need is a core commitment — no matter where they live. This principle is especially critical in regions where regulatory frameworks are evolving or complex. Northern Ireland has served as a recent and important example of how we work to uphold this commitment in practice.

In response to the challenges posed by the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, Teva actively engaged with the House of Lords Sub-Committee tasked with assessing its impact on medicine supply. 

As a major supplier to the region, Teva submitted written evidence and was invited to participate in a panel discussion alongside other industry leaders, including the Healthcare Distribution Association and PAGB, the Consumer Healthcare Association. This was held in October 2021.

During the session, the panel highlighted the potential consequences for patients if the Protocol’s current provisions were not amended. These included the risk that increased regulatory burdens could make it economically unviable to supply certain medicines in Northern Ireland, and that the lack of mutual recognition for quality release processes between the UK and EU could disrupt supply chains across the UK.

The discussion also raised concerns about the future availability of new medicines in Northern Ireland. Regulatory complexity and associated costs could lead to the region being deprioritised in product launches — a scenario that would create unequal access to innovation.

Teva’s contribution to the hearing focused on the need for practical, patient-centred solutions. While recent developments from both the EU and UK were acknowledged as positive steps, Teva emphasised that further work was needed to ensure a sustainable, long-term resolution that protects patient access.

Following the session, Teva provided additional technical insights and recommendations to the Sub Committee to support its forthcoming report. This engagement reflects our broader approach: working collaboratively with stakeholders to remove barriers and ensure that no patient is left behind.

A recording of the proceedings from October 2021 is available on the Parliament website.