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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 6

Written Answers. - Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

John Gormley

Question:

184 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for the regulation of complementary and alternative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23170/02]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the availability of complementary and alternative medicines. My Department is not seeking to restrict availability of these medicinal products, other than in cases where there may be overriding public health considerations. On the contrary, to seek to ensure the continued availability of such products that are of appropriate quality and safety, my Department is currently examining proposals from the Irish Medicines Board for the control of these products, the aim of which is to provide the consumer with an assurance that the traditional medicinal products which they buy are produced to an appropriate quality standard, are safe under the recommended conditions of use, can be expected to be effective in the context of their established tradition of use and are appropriately labelled.

To gain the most from these types of medicinal products, it is essential that they be controlled by an appropriate authority to ensure that, like all other medicinal products, they are of an appropriate quality and safe for the consumer to use. The interests of public health can best be realised when there is a formal mechanism for the assessment of these products and a subsequent means of monitoring their use in order to assure their continued safety in use.

The Deputy may be aware that a proposed EU directive on traditional herbal medicinal products was agreed by the European Commission on 17 January 2002. This proposal has now been sent to the European Parliament and Council. I understand the Irish Medicines Board's proposal for an interim national control scheme for these products is broadly in line with the proposed EU directive. Both the Irish Medicines Board's proposal and the proposed EU directive are currently being examined in my Department. I have also received a number of representations from various interested parties, including members of the public, all of which will be considered in the context of our ongoing examination of the IMB proposed scheme of control and the proposed EU directive.
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