Dan Neville
Question:342 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of products on the market containing paracetamol; and if he will give details of the product names in this regard. [23239/00]
Vol. 524 No. 5
342 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of products on the market containing paracetamol; and if he will give details of the product names in this regard. [23239/00]
According to the information available to my Department, there are 129 medicinal products, including various pack sizes, presently on the market which contain paracetamol. A list of the names of these products is provided below.
Medicinal Products containing paracetamol
Anadin Extra
Anadin Paracetamol Tablets (1)
Anadin Paracetamol Tablets (2)
Beechams Cold Relief Capsules
Beechams Flu Plus Hot Lemon
Beechams Hot Blackcurrant Sachets
Beechams Hot Lemon Sachets (1)
Beechams Hot Lemon Sachets (2)
Beechams Hot Lemon With Honey
Benoral Susp
Benylin Four Flu Liquid
Benylin Four Flu Tablets
Calpol Infant Susp 5ml Sachets
Calpol Infant Susp S/Free 5ml Sachet
Calpol Six Plus
Calpol Six Plus Sugar/Colour Free
Calpol Susp (1)
Calpol Susp (2)
Calpol Suspension Sugar Free
Day & Night Tablets Carton Pack (1)
Day & Night Tablets Carton Pack (2)
Day Nurse Capsules
Disprol (Junior) Tablets
Disprol Paracetamol Susp
Distalgesic Tablets
Dozol Syrup Fortified (1)
Dozol Syrup Fortified (2)
Feminax
Fortagesic Tablets
Hedex Caplets (1)
Hedex Caplets (2)
Hedex Soluble
Ilvico Tablets (1)
Ilvico Tablets (2)
Kapake Tablets
Lemsip (1)
Lemsip (2)
Lemsip Flu Strength
Lemsip Headcold (1)
Lemsip Headcold (2)
Lemsip Max Strength
Lemsip Menthol Extra (1)
Lemsip Menthol Extra (2)
Lemsip Phenylephrine B/Curr
Lemsip With Phenylephrine
Medinol Susp Over 6
Medinol Susp Under 6
343 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the restrictions on non-pharmacy sales of paracetamol products. [23240/00]
The current position in relation to the sale of medicinal products containing paracetamol, both in pharmacy and non-pharmacy outlets, is based on the policy and recommendations of the Irish Medicines Board which are implemented by the board in the granting of product authorisations in respect of medicinal products to be placed or maintained on the market in this country. This board is the competent authority for the granting and renewal of product authorisations under the Medicinal Products (Licensing and Sale) Regulations, 1998. These authorisations set out the conditions subject to which medicinal products may be placed on the market. The primary aim is to promote public health by ensuring that medicinal products available to the Irish public meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy in accordance with the obligation arising from current EC and national legislative requirements.
Due to concerns over the serious effects arising from overdosages of paracetamol, the Irish Medicines Board in 1997 drew up a series of recommendations in relation to the sale of paracetamol, including a recommendation to restrict the sale of paracetamol in non-pharmacy retail outlets to packs containing not more than 12 500mg tablets or equivalent. Following extensive consultation, almost all of the manufacturers concerned have supported the recommendations and have agreed to conform with the board's recommendations with a view to implementing them in order to enhance public safety.
Regulations to restrict the availability of paracetamol, which would give statutory effect to the recommendations made by the Irish Medicines Board, are currently under consideration in my Department. These recommendations relate to pack size and availability in both pharmacy and non-pharmacy outlets and will, as already outlined, subject packs of paracetamol above particular pack sizes to pharmacy-only or prescription-only control as appropriate. I understand that most manufacturers are already operating within these guidelines in anticipation of the introduction of the new regulations.
344 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of restrictions on sales of paracetamol products in Britain and Northern Ireland. [23241/00]
The United Kingdom authorities, in respect of Britain and Northern Ireland, introduced restrictions on the sale of paracetamol products by means of statutory instruments which took effect from the 16 September 1998.