asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to the contents of a newspaper article (details supplied) regarding the financial interest of medical practitioners in drug companies; and whether he will express any views on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Companies.
9.
I have read the newspaper article mentioned by the Deputy and a follow-up article later on.
Investment in any project is a matter for free individual decision but the articles drew attention to possible difficulty arising in the case of doctors investing in drug companies and in particular to the question of possible breach of medical ethics.
The statutory body primarily responsible for consideration of alleged breaches of medical ethics is of course the Medical Registration Council. I understand that the council have this matter under consideration at the present time.
Accordingly, I do not propose to express any views on the situation at this stage.