Michael Ring
Question:194 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the drug secretin has been licensed by the National Drugs Advisory Bureau thus making it available for autism sufferers here. [19488/99]
Written Answers. - Drug Availability.
Michael Ring
Question:195 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the possibility, if any, of the drug secretin being issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19489/99]
Michael Ring
Question:196 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to include the drug for autism, secretin, under the general medical card services scheme. [19490/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 to 196, inclusive, together.
I am advised that secretin is a hormone which has been used for many years as a diagnostic aid in certain gastrointestinal disorders. More recently there have been anecdotal reports from the United States of its beneficial use in children with autism. The product is not licensed by the Irish Medicines Board – the successor to the National Drugs Advisory Board – nor is there any application for its licensing pending. Any future applications received for authorisation of the product will be considered under the normal process of evaluation carried out by the board.
In view of the fact that the product is not the subject of a product authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board, it is not eligible for inclusion in the list of reimbursable items under the general medical services scheme.
Secretin treatment for autism is still at the experimental stage. Clinical trials have yet to report on its efficacy and on the long-term side effects of using this treatment. Ultimately, a decision as to whether a particular treatment is introduced is a matter for clinical decision by doctors treating patients in the light of clinical trial results, experience and what is considered best practice. My Department will continue, however, to follow any progress in relation to clinical trials and research in this area.