Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Irish Medicines Board.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

194 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received an application for the setting up of a board (details supplied) outside the control of the Irish Medicines Board in view of the fact there is a huge level of resistance to this within the Irish Medicines Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29277/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am not aware of any formal application to my Department for the setting up of a complementary traditional medicines board outside the remit of the Irish Medicines Board and I do not propose to establish such a body. It has been the established policy of successive Governments and enshrined by the Oireachtas in the Irish Medicines Board Act, 1995, that responsibility for the licensing of medicinal products, including the giving of advice in relation to the control and use of such products, would be carried out by the Irish Medicines Board, including its expert advisory committees.

I believe that the board has the necessary expertise in traditional and alternative medicinal products and I am aware that it also has available to it a panel of experts that may on occasions also be consulted on individual licence applications and on certain aspects arising in applications. My Department also sanctioned the appointment of a herbal medicines project manager to the board earlier this year to facilitate a detailed review of the arrangements to be put in place for the introduction of an interim licensing scheme for ‘traditional and alternative' medicinal products.