Terence Flanagan
Question:668 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding generic medication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9760/12]
View answerTuesday, 21 February 2012
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Written answers
It is a matter for each pharmacy to determine what type of medicine it holds in stock. Under medicines legislation it is envisaged that if a patient has a prescription specifying a branded medicine, that patient will receive that branded medicine from the pharmacist. If a pharmacy does not have a particular medicine in stock, it is open to the patient to request the pharmacy to order the medicine or alternatively to seek the medicine in question from another pharmacy.
I should point out that generic medicines must meet exactly the same standards of quality and safety and have the same effect as the original medicine. All of the generic medicines on the Irish market are required to be properly licensed and meet the requirements of the Irish Medicines Board.