asked the Minister for Health the total value of drugs purchased by health authorities other than Dublin Health Authority in each of the past five years from a firm (name supplied).
65.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchases of Drugs.
64.
asked the Minister for Health if he will give assurances that no further drugs will be purchased by health authorities from a company (name supplied).
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
The total value of drugs purchased by health authorities, other than Dublin Health Authority, from the firm named in each of the past five contract years, ended 30th June, was: 1964—£3,584; 1965—£6,863; 1966— £1,494; 1967—£144; and in the period from 1st July, 1967, to 31st March, 1968—£158.
From inquiries which I have made I understand that, with one exception, no health authority has purchased drugs from the company concerned since I communicated with all health authorities on 6th November, 1967, advising them against the use in the health services of this firm's products. In the case of the exception mentioned, the authority concerned purchased drugs to the value of £11 from the firm in January, 1968, and have indicated to me that they do not intend to make further purchases from the company.