Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
465. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the current situation in which Alprozolam is being purchased without prescription through the internet; his views on the addictive qualities of this drug; his views in relation to the health implications of the unregulated sale of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40539/12]
View answerAlprazolam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety, sleep disturbance and insomnia and are known to be associated with dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Consequently, benzodiazepines are usually recommended for short-term treatment only. The Irish Medicines Board-approved prescribing information for alprazolam products states that they are only to be used when the symptoms of anxiety are severe. It is also recommended that treatment with an alprazolam product should be as short as possible and generally not more than 8 to 12 weeks, including a tapering off process.
In Ireland, benzodiazepines are prescription-only medicinal products. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription medicine except in accordance with a prescription and the supply must be made from a registered pharmacy by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist. A person who contravenes these Regulations is guilty of an offence. The Regulations also make it illegal for prescription medicines to be supplied by mail order. The definition of mail order includes reference to electronic custom solicitation and order for supply. This includes ordering prescription medicines through internet sites.
The Irish Medicines Board is aware of illegal supply of alprazolam from internet sites outside Ireland and is working closely with the Revenue's Customs Service officials to detain supplies on entry to Ireland and, where possible, with counterpart agencies in other countries to stop the supply.
Furthermore, my Department is reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Regulations with a view to introducing additional controls on certain prescription drugs, including benzodiazepines. These include the introduction of import and export controls as well as an offence of unauthorised possession, thereby assisting the law enforcement roles of Customs and of the Garda Siochána. My Department is consulting with key stakeholders in relation to the proposed amendments and it is anticipated that new legislation will be introduced by early 2013.
