Teva expresses disappointment as Irish medical body votes to boycott its drugs
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association has urged members to avoid prescribing Teva products, prompting the pharmaceutical giant to stress its long-standing commitment to the Irish healthcare system.
By Amir Navarro ·
Teva Pharmaceuticals has voiced its disappointment regarding a recent decision by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association to recommend a boycott of its medicines. The Israeli company conveyed this sentiment to The Jerusalem Post on Sunday, marking a significant moment in its relationship with Irish healthcare providers.
The professional body for consultants in Ireland passed a motion last week that encourages members to avoid prescribing, administering, or using Teva products. The recommendation applies specifically in situations where clinically appropriate and equivalent alternatives are available. The motion emphasizes that this preference should not compromise patient safety, the continuity of treatment, or overall clinical outcomes.
If a full prescription boycott were to be implemented, it would impact approximately 12.5 percent of all prescriptions in Ireland. This figure reflects the estimated share of the market produced by Teva. The motion explicitly states that the association will support and defend clinicians who choose to avoid these products for ethical reasons.
Teva highlighted its long history in the region, noting with pride that it has been manufacturing medicines in Ireland for more than thirty years. The company stated that patients and healthcare professionals rely on these medications daily, both locally and globally. Teva argued that healthcare should not be politicized and that treatment decisions must be guided by clinical evidence, patient needs, and professional judgment.
The company further warned that restricting access to medicines for reasons unrelated to patient care risks undermining the core principle that individuals should receive the most appropriate treatment for their specific conditions. Despite its disagreement with the motion, Teva assured that it remains committed to working constructively with healthcare professionals across Ireland to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality medicines.
The motion cited significant ethical concerns and international scrutiny surrounding Teva in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It noted that these concerns have led healthcare professionals in Ireland and around the world to question the continued use and procurement of Teva products when alternatives exist.
The proposal was introduced by Irish consultant Thomas Donnelly, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who has treated families from Gaza. Donnelly described the injuries of these patients as devastating, requiring lifelong management. He expressed that contemplating the use of products that could indirectly contribute to further bombardments was unconscionable.
According to reports from the Irish Examiner, Donnelly stated that where a clinically appropriate alternative exists, he cannot use Teva products in good conscience. He welcomed the association's commitment to defend clinicians who adopt this position. This move follows recent actions by the UK’s Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Pharmacy, which ended commercial partnerships with Teva UK weeks ago, although they did not call for a product boycott.
Teva Ireland describes itself as one of the largest suppliers of prescription medicines to the Health Service Executive. The company notes that one in every eight prescription packs supplied to Irish pharmacies is a Teva medicine, underscoring the potential logistical impact of the recommended boycott.
