asked the Taoiseach if he will state the value of (a) proprietary medicines and (b) other pharmaceutical drugs and medicines imported and home-produced in a recent year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drugs and Medicines.
In the year 1956, the latest year for which complete Census of Industrial Production returns are available, the value of proprietary medicines for human use, produced by firms covered by the census was £303,312 and the value of other drugs, medicines and medicinal preparations produced for human use was £226,429. In addition, the production of veterinary medicines and preparations, including ointments, was valued at £120,222 in that year.
Proprietary medicines are not distinguished separately in the official import list. With the premission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing the value of imports in the years 1956 and 1957 of medical and pharmaceutical products under the headings prevailing in the official import list.
Following is the statement:—
IMPORTS of medical and pharmaceutical products in the years 1956 and 1957.
|
Description |
1956 |
1957 |
|
Imports (excluding parcel post): |
£ |
£ |
|
Ointments and creams: |
||
|
Medical |
85,613 |
85,786 |
|
Veterinary |
7,706 |
23,265 |
|
Bacteriological products, sera and vaccines: |
||
|
Medical |
33,324 |
46,231 |
|
Veterinary |
27,643 |
55,724 |
|
Vitamins and vitamin preparations: |
||
|
Medical |
58,703 |
74,759 |
|
Veterinary |
20,556 |
17,538 |
|
Antibiotics: |
||
|
Penicillin salts and derivatives and preparations of these intended for use by injection |
48,113 |
62,181 |
|
Streptomycin salts and derivatives |
31,994 |
52,293 |
|
Other, including combinations of two or more antibiotics and penicillin and streptomycin preparations other than for injection |
87,614 |
109,517 |
|
Opium alkaloids, cocaine, caffein, quinine and other alkaloids, salts and their derivatives |
7,582 |
10,752 |
|
Surgical catgut and other sutures and ligatures |
25,306 |
24,891 |
|
Medicated or aseptic wadding, bandages and dressings |
89,222 |
83,665 |
|
Insulin and insulin compounds |
24,547 |
25,550 |
|
Barbiturates |
1,382 |
4,381 |
|
Sulphonamides in tablet form |
— |
— |
|
Liver extracts for injection |
677 |
2,525 |
|
Veterinary products, n.e.s. |
94,494 |
136,484 |
|
Medical and pharmaceutical products, n.e.s. |
1,149,438 |
1,256,207 |
|
Total (excluding parcel post) |
1,793,914 |
2,071,749 |
|
Imports of medical and pharmaceutical products by parcel post |
123,989 |
82,725 |
|
TOTAL |
1,917,903 |
2,154,474 |
n.e.s.=not available.