Gay Mitchell
Question:108 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the use of alternative medicines. [9572/02]
Written Answers. - Medicinal Products.
Alternative medicines including herbal and trad itional medicines are distinct types of medicinal products. In many instances these medicines are used in conjunction with conventional medicine rather than as an alternative to it. In order to gain the most from medicines such as these, it is essential that they are licensed by an appropriate authority to ensure that, like all other medicines, they are of appropriate quality, safe for use, and can be expected to act in accordance with any claims made. It is clear that many of these medicines have a tradition of use that is indicative of potential benefit. The value of medicines such as these can best be realised when there is a formal mechanism for assessing them and a subsequent means of monitoring their use in order to clearly determine any potential benefit.
The Irish Medicines Board has recently submitted to me a proposal for an interim national licensing scheme for traditional and alternative medicinal products including herbal medicines. This scheme is in line with proposed European legislation in this area and will assure consumers that the traditional medicinal products which they buy are produced to an appropriate quality and can be expected to act in accordance with any claims made.
As a follow-up to the publication of its proposals for an interim licensing system, I have asked the IMB to organise a seminar for interested parties which will offer further scope to review the reports implications.