asked the Minister for Health if it is correct that the latest definition of a drug is to be found in legislation of 1875; and if he will modernise this definition to deal with the vast expansion of the drugs industry in the last 90 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Definition.
19.
The Sale of Food and Drugs Act 1875, which I presume is the legislation referred to by the Deputy, states that "the term ‘drug' shall include medicine for internal or external use". In subsequent legislation more appropriate designations were adopted, for example, "therapeutic substance" and "medical preparation". The latest statutory definition of the word "drug" is contained in the National Drugs Advisory Board (Establishment) Order, 1966. This definition, which is in accordance with the advice of a group of experts set up by the World Health Organisation, is considered adequate to enable the Board to exercise its functions in relation to all new and re-formulated drugs as well as those already in use.