IMF and IMF-Online in Ireland Today

As the only Ireland-specific, fully complete and independent medicines reference, Irish MedicinesFormulary (IMF) was first published in print in 2007. The digital version, IMF-Online was introduced in 2015. Used by thosuands of health professionals throughout Ireland each day, IMF and IMF-Online provide key information to support the efficient and safe use of medicines. Designed with input from practicing doctors, pharmacists and nurses, it quickly delivers the required drug information.

In addition to prescription medicines (original brands, branded-generics and generics), IMF includes reimbursed OTC preparations, medical devices and Adult Oral Nutritional Supplements. In conjunction with the various State agencies, it also contains official content including HPRA Pharmacovigilance information, Interchangeability details, Pricing and Reimbursement data and Immunisation Schedules for Ireland.

 

New Product Inclusion Criteria and Requirements


Inclusion Criteria

Irish Medicines Formulary publishes prescribing information for the following product categories:

  • Prescription products that are licensed AND marketed in Ireland i.e. stock in wholesaler, approved Euro price, available to prescribe.
  • OTC products that are reimbursed*.
  • Medical devices that are reimbursed*.
  • Exempt Medicines** (ULMs) that are reimbursed*.
  • Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) that are reimbursed*.

Inclusion Format 

With regard to prescribing information published in IMF, all products from all companies are included in exactly the same way according to the IMF template.

 The information is drawn from sections 1-4.8, 5.1 and 6.4 of the latest Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).

 All products are included in an information cascade i.e. all prescribing information relevant to the broad therapeutic area, all prescribing information relevant to the particular molecule, information for all brands of the same molecule

e.g. Chapter 7 Ophthalmology, 7.1 Glaucoma, 7.1.1 Topical Beta Blockers, Timolol, all brands of Timolol. Individual brands are not included in isolated individual entries.

 Inclusion Requirements

  • An electronic copy of the latest SPC (licensed medicines with PA or EU number) OR labelling information (medical devices, nutritionals)
  • Pack size(s) marketed
  • Reimbursement status and if reimbursed, the reimbursed price in Euro
  • Ex-factory price in Euro if not reimbursed

Inclusion Cost 

There is no cost to any pharmaceutical company for the inclusion of products in IMF. There is also no cost for the update of these products according to SPC revisions.

Notes:

* Reimbursed by the PCRS under any of the reimbursement schemes i.e. General Medical Services (GMS) High Tech (HT), Long-Term Illness (LTI) and Dental Treatment Scheme (DTS).

** Medicines placed on the Irish market must be authorised by the HPRA or by the European Commission (centrally authorised products). European regulations do provide for an exemption to this rule via Article 5 of Directive 2001/83/EC. In this case, unauthorised medicines may be supplied if a registered doctor or dentist has prescribed the product for an individual patient under his/her direct responsibility in order to fulfil the special needs of the patient. Such products are defined as ‘exempt medicinal products’ or Exempt Medicines. Exempt Medicines are sometimes loosely called Unlicensed Medicines or ULMs.