Vol. 445 No. 6
436 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the cruelty to pregnant mares involved in the preparation of the oestrogen substitute Premarin; and if he will prohibit its use in view of the availability at a virtually identical wholesale cost of a 100 per cent plant-derived oestrogen substitute. [598/94]
The preparation Premarin, which has been granted product authorisation under the Medical Preparations (Licensing, Advertisement and Sale) Regulations 1984-1993, contains conjugated oestrogens prepared according to the United States Pharmacopoeia formulation which allows for a natural source derived from equine urine. The product is primarily indicated for use in menopausal and postmenopausal oestrogen replacement therapy. The extraction of the substance is not carried out in this country and it is, therefore, something over which I have no control. However, I am advised that all animal handling is done in accordance with strict animal welfare guidelines.
