Vol. 543 No. 4
113 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the recent Irish medicines report which states that there was a 40% increase in adverse drug reactions in 2000; and the steps he has taken to deal with this problem. [27410/01]
The reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions to the Irish Medicines Board by health professionals is an effective way of monitoring the safety of medicinal products following their introduction to the Irish market. The Irish Medicines Board actively encourages the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions and has expressed satisfaction that the level of reporting of suspected ADRs has increased in 2000. When collated with additional reports from other sources, the reporting of an individual experience of suspected ADR contributes significantly to the assessment of a possible safety hazard and assists the IMB in its ongoing surveillance of the safety and quality of medicinal products in this country.
