Minister visits Athlone Laboratories’ critical medicine facilityMinister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, and representatives from IDA Ireland, visited Athlone Laboratories recently to consult with key figures on a vision for Ireland’s future in the domestic manufacturing of critical medicines. Through the Critical Medicines Act, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) prioritises their supply and availability, to ensure they remain available and accessible to patients. Established in 1974, Athlone Laboratories, located in Ballymurray, Roscommon, was acquired by Gaelic Laboratories in December. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Burke said: “I’m looking forward to working closely with Athlone Laboratories over the coming period, as they contribute to Ireland’s vibrant Life Sciences sector here in the Midlands. Rory Mullen, Head of BioPharma at IDA Ireland, said Athlone Laboratories’ commitment to manufacturing critical medicines like Beta-Lactams “strengthens our national supply chain and supports patient care across Europe and beyond”.

Source: Irish Independent March 24, 2026 13:12 UTC