asked the Minister for Health if he will detail all his Department's transactions with Intercontinental Pharmaceuticals Limited since the British ban on their products; and if he will state the present attitude of his Department on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intercontinental Pharmaceuticals Limited.
70.
There have been two pharmaceutical firms operating from the same premises in Dublin— ICP (Ireland) Ltd. and Intercontinental Pharmaceutical (Eire) Ltd., and this has caused some confusion.
The warning issued on the 8th October, 1968, by the Minister for Health in Britain to doctors, pharmacists and hospitals in Britain related to preparations marketed by ICP (Ireland) Ltd.
Arising out of a letter which I wrote to that firm on the 16th October, 1968, officers of my Department visited the company's premises on 8th November, 1968, and interviewed a director of the firm. I consider it advisable, however, to supplement the information obtained on that occasion by details regarding the business activities of Intercontinental Pharmaceutical (Eire) Ltd., and I have recently written to the firm asking that the necessary facilities be granted to officers of my Department. The firm have replied stating that the necessary arrangements will be made when the Managing Director is available—in approximately two weeks.
In the meantime I have no reason to believe that any health authority is purchasing drugs from either of the two firms.
Does the Minister for Health not feel he is doing himself an injustice by not referring to the fact that as Minister for Health he is called upon to deal in very strong language with what appears to be a large international drug swindle which is being perpetrated not only in Ireland but in Switzerland and in a variety of other continental countries and which has been called under censure by the health authorities not only in Ireland but on the Continent and America? I know the Minister is aware of this but I think he is doing himself an injustice by not using stronger language than he is using.
I am grateful to the Deputy and I agree with what he has said. I might add that since we had a discussion on this last October I do not think anybody is in any doubt about what we all thought at that time and what has been very thoroughly exposed since then.
So discussions are taking place? Is that what the Minister has in mind? Action is being taken after a question of mine?
That is right.