Bernard Allen
Question:251 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent reports that dangerous equipment for intravenous drips may be in circulation, having been stolen in another country. [23366/99]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
The German authorities responsible for medical devices recently informed the authorities in 38 European countries, including my Department, of the theft in Poland of 148,500 infusion sets. I understand that the devices were in their final sales packaging which indicated that they were sterile. However, the devices were actually being transported to be sterilised when they were stolen and are not sterile.
Because of the dangers from a clinical perspective of non-sterile devices being used in situations where sterility is needed and in an attempt to safeguard public health in this regard, my Department felt it was necessary to bring the information which had been sent by the German authorities to the attention of all healthcare agencies in Ireland. Letters to this effect issued in October. The Irish customs authorities were also alerted about the problem. I am not aware of any evidence that anyone has attempted to place the stolen infusion sets on the Irish market.