Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
471. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to research published recently (details supplied) showing that at least three women here per day access at home medical terminations of pregnancy with abortion pills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31940/16]
View answerThere are significant public health concerns associated with the purchase of prescription medicines over the internet. There is no guarantee as to the safety, quality or efficacy of medicines purchased on-line. Medicines purchased in this manner are often found to be counterfeit and/or with inaccurate labelling or product information. In addition, any prescription medicine should be taken by a patient only when it has been prescribed for them by their medical practitioner or other appropriate health professional who has taken the person's medical history into account. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 2003, as amended, the mail order supply of prescription medicines is prohibited.
The article the Deputy refers to examines the characteristics and experiences of women in Ireland and Northern Ireland seeking at home termination of pregnancy using online telemedicine. My Department notes the content of this article. It is illegal to procure an abortion in Ireland outside of the circumstances specified in the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, 2013, which regulates access to lawful termination of pregnancy in accordance with the X case and the judgement in the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C v Ireland case.
