To ask the Minister of Health what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the UK's Department for Health and Social Care concerning opportunities for research organisations and the third sector in Northern Ireland to contribute to the Medicines Repurposing Programme.

The Medicine Repurposing Programme, hosted by NHS England, identifies and progresses opportunities to use existing medicines in new ways, outside of the current marketing authorisation. Officials from my Department attend regular Medicines Repurposing Programme meetings along with devolved nation counterparts, to keep abreast of the medicines supported by the programme for planning purposes and horizon scanning.

Charities, healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies across the UK, including Northern Ireland, are welcome to submit candidate proposals to the Medicines Repurposing Programme. The eligibility criteria and proposal form are available on the NHS England website.