Bernard Allen
Question:230 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he will take to control prescription drugs sold over the internet. [13609/00]
Written Answers. - Medicinal Products.
The responsibility for the control over the sale, supply and distribution of medicinal products, including those being offered for sale on the Internet, rests with the countries in which the sale and supply of the products concerned takes place.
The matter of e-commerce is an international issue that is currently being examined by a working party of the EU pharmaceutical committee. In this matter we would be supportive of any proposals for controls put forward by the European Commission or by the World Health Organisation that would regulate the sale of these products via the Internet.
I would also point out that the sale in this country of prescription medicinal products via the Internet is prohibited under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 256 of 1996).