asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that there is danger of a shortage of medical anaesthetics, and whether he will arrange for at least a deck cargo of these supplies on one of the ships recently purchased for transfer of supplies from the United States of America direct, or via Lisbon, and whether he will consult the practising anaesthetists in Eire preparatory to ordering these supplies.
Private Notice Question. - Supply of Medical Anaesthetics.
There is no immediate general shortage of medical anaesthetics, but I am aware that there is a danger that a shortage may develop. The question of securing supplies from overseas sources has been, and is, receiving active attention, and consultations with the principal distributors of anaesthetics have already taken place. Arrangements will be made for any other consultations that may seem to be required.
In view of the fact that, in addition to choloform and ether, there are a number of modern anaesthetics which are invaluable in the hands of trained anaesthetists, would the Minister consider summoning some of the practising anaesthetists, at least in the City of Dublin, with a view to hearing from them whether there are any special American anaesthetics which could be included in any consignment he proposes to bring to this country?
Certainly. We have been advised in this matter by the firms which are the ordinary commercial channels through which these supplies arrive. If there should appear to be any difficulty in obtaining the ordinary anaesthetics, we shall consult the persons best competent to advise as to what substitute materials might be procured.
May I direct the Minister's attention to the fact that I do not envisage substitues? I am informed that, in certain surgical conditions, while it may be impermissible to induce anaesthesia with either or chloroform, there are certain modern anaesthetics that may safely be used. A shortage exists not only of the common anaesthetics like ether and chloroform, but also of these more specialised anaesthetics, and the danger is that if the Minister confines his consultations to wholesale distributors some of these others may escape his notice. I suggest that he approach the Academy of Medicine and ask them to nominate some anaesthetist who will consult his Department with a view to making their case for the inclusion of these unusual anaesthetics in any consignment he proposes to bring in.
I shall consider that.