Liz McManus
Question:246 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an anti-fungal drug, details supplied, is no longer available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18084/01]
Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.
I have been informed by the Irish Medicines Board, which is the competent national authority in relation to the licensing of medicinal products, that a number of anti-fungal drugs containing the ingredient referred to by the Deputy have been withdrawn recently. Similar withdrawals have also taken place in the UK. The main company concerned indicated that it was no longer in a position to guarantee supply of these products. It also reported that the products were not widely used. There is a licensed form of topical application on the market, and a selection of other anti-fungal products are commercially available. Some of these alternative products continue to be reimbursable by the general medical services.