asked the Minister for Health whether his Department have any views on the sale of pep pills and other drugs now on sale through ordinary retail outlets; and whether his Department envisage any steps in conjunction with the pharmacists' associations to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Drugs.
39.
Mr. O'Leary
My Department keeps a close watch on the sale of medical preparations and drugs and has, in this respect, available to it the advice of Comhairle na Nimheanna, the statutory body set up under the Poisons Act, 1961, which includes in its membership pharmaceutical representation.
The Medical Preparations (Control of Sale) Regulations and the Medical Preparations (Barbiturates) Regulations restrict the retail sale of pep pills and other similar drugs to chemists and druggists, and then only on prescription.
Amending regulations, which will bring under similar control some additional preparations which have come on the market, are now at final draft stage.
Mr. O'Leary
I do not wish to cut off the supply of pep pills to members of the Cabinet who are very much in need of such pills at present, but I would ask the Minister to guard members of the general public against them.
If the Deputy will guard the Cabinet, I will guard the public.