Vol. 446 No. 3
276 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health his views on whether advertising of paracetamol on television should be restricted and the sale of bulk boxes of the drug controlled in view of the crisis in relation to overdosing. [2115/94]
The advertising of all medical preparations, including paracetamol, is subject to the terms of the Medical Preparations (Advertising) Regulations, 1993. These regulations permit only the advertising of medical preparations which are the subject of product authorisations and require that the advertisement comply with the requirements of the authorisation. An advertisement shall encourage the rational use of the preparation by presenting it objectively and without exaggerating its properties and shall not be misleading. The regulations give effect to the EU Directive on the advertising of medical preparations and I have no plans to amend the regulations at this time.
On the advice of the National Drugs Advisory Board, which advises me on all matters relating to the quality, safety and efficacy of medical preparations, paracetamol tablets may only be sold through non-pharmacy outlets in packs containing not more than twenty-five (25) tablets and through pharmacies in packs not exceeding fifty (50) tablets. Quantities in excess of this may only be supplied if prescribed by the registered medical practitioner.
