About AMI
Driving positive change in healthcare
Our Mission: Championing Affordable Healthcare
Affordable Medicines Ireland represents all parallel distribution companies in Ireland and is a member of the European-wide association Affordable Medicines Europe. In an industry often dominated by patent holders, parallel distribution introduces much-needed competition, benefiting not just the economy but, more importantly, healthcare systems and patients across Europe. Affordable Medicines Europe stands at the forefront of this effort as the sole Brussels-based non-profit organization dedicated to uniting the licensed European pharmaceutical parallel distribution industry.
We’re proud to celebrate and advocate for the significant contributions our industry makes towards making medicines more accessible and affordable.
Parallel distributors, registered as pharmaceutical wholesalers, are crucial players in the healthcare supply chain. These firms, whether supplying medicines across Europe (exporters) or introducing them into a new market (importers), often require a manufacturing authorization to handle the necessary repackaging, ensuring products meet local standards and regulations.
Affordable Medicines Ireland: a united front
Affordable Medicines Ireland is a testament to collaboration and commitment, comprising five firms that represent the entire volume of the parallel distribution industry within the Republic. These companies, all privately owned small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are united under the banner of ensuring that Irish patients have access to affordable medicines.
Our member companies strictly adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety, handling products that have received national and/or EU regulatory approval. By sourcing and supplying medicines exclusively within the European Economic Area (EEA) through authorized channels, we guarantee the integrity and reliability of the pharmaceuticals reaching Irish patients.
Goals and actions: a vision for the future
The heart of Affordable Medicines Ireland and Europe’s mission is to enable, protect, and promote parallel distribution of branded medicinal products. Our commitment extends beyond just advocating for free trade within the EEA; we strive for a competitive European Single Market and the realization of a fully functional EU internal market.
Our actions are guided by a vision where every patient in Ireland and across Europe has access to the medicines they need at prices they can afford. By fostering an environment of healthy competition, we aim to challenge the status quo of pharmaceutical monopolies, bringing down costs for healthcare systems and, ultimately, for patients.
In pursuing these goals, Affordable Medicines Ireland and its members are not just business entities; we are allies to the Irish healthcare system, champions of patient rights, and advocates for a healthier, more accessible future. Together, we are making strides towards a healthcare landscape where affordability and access go hand in hand, ensuring that the well-being of patients always comes first.
