Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - Medical Preparations Regulations.

Paul Bradford

Question:

91 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the application of the medical preparations licensing advertisement in sales regulations, 1984-1989, on the matter of nutrients, vitamins, food supplements and dietary products; and if he intends amending the regulations.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I am satisfied with the application of these regulations to the substances referred to in so far as they are medical preparations, that is, in so far as any preventive, curative or remedial claim is made for them or that they contain ingredients of such a nature or quantity as to bring them within the scope of the medical preparations licensing scheme. An explanatory leaflet on the position of such borderline products under the regulations is available from my Department.

I might add that a subcommittee of the Food Safety Advisory Committee has been considering the desirability of controls on certain products of the general descriptions mentioned by the Deputy which are not medical preparations and which are not covered by existing legislation. I will be considering the recommendations of the committee in due course and, if necessary, will bring forward further legislative measures to give effect to them.