Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2017
142. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 695 of 27 September 2016, the uptake in the number of persons trained to administer adrenaline auto-injectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43147/17]
View answer143. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all teachers have a basic understanding of administering adrenaline auto-injectors in emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43148/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
In October 2015, my predecessor, Minister Leo Varadkar T.D., signed regulations which allow certain prescription-only medicines, including adrenaline auto-injectors, to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations. It is important to note that these regulations do not in any way change the existing ‘good Samaritan’ rule, which allows any member of the public to assist a person in distress to administer a medicine which has been prescribed to them. Equally, these regulations in no way diminish the responsibility or the importance of people continuing to carry the medicines that they need to manage their own health needs.
In order for an organisation to avail of an emergency medicine without the need for a prescription, they must first register with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and undergo a training course accredited by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).
This register is publicly available through the Emergency Medicines Portal on the HPRA website and can be found at: www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/emergency-medicines/emergency-medicines-search/results.
There is currently a total of 14 organisations, and 21 accountable persons, listed on the register for Emergency Medicines. Each organisation may register more than one site and more than one accountable person.
Prescription only medicines (POMs) are so designated because there are safety concerns about these medications. The administration of a POM should not be done lightly and should only occur following appropriate training. A decision to undergo training on the use and administration of an emergency medicine rests with individual organisations.
Schools can obtain additional information on the management of anaphylaxis from organisations such as the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, which has published guidelines for teachers on its website; one section of these guidelines deals specifically with the management of anaphylaxis at school. The provision of training to teachers is a policy matter for the Department of Education and Skills.
