asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that ethical pharmaceutical products supplied under Government contract are not subjected to any quality control in many cases; and that control is rendered difficult by the fact that different drugs bear the same batch number; and what measures he proposes to take to rectify this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality Control of Drugs.
57.
Mr. O'Malley
Tenders for the supply of pharmaceutical products for the health services are subjected to close scrutiny and tests of particular products are carried out whenever this is considered necessary but it would be impracticable and unnecessary to carry out routine tests of all the very large range of pharmaceuticals supplied under the combined purchasing system of the Department of Local Government. However, the matter which the Deputy raises is one which is, and has been, causing me concern, and I am having the entire matter of control examined.
I may add that new contracts for the supply of drugs with effect from 1st July next will shortly be entered into by Department of Local Government.
Is the Minister aware that indiscriminate distribution of these drugs is taking place, that there is no control, that fatalities can occur while we are awaiting new proposals, new legislation, from the Minister's Department? Would he accept proof I have here now to the effect that the batch numbers on these drugs have no meaning whatever, that people can die because these drugs are not proper, not adequate and not safe; and could the Minister take immediate steps to remedy the position?
Mr. O'Malley
I appreciate the Deputy's anxiety but I, on my part, as the Deputy will appreciate, have made arrangements with my officials that the Deputy can come down to my Department in the Custom House and that we shall furnish him with a tape recorder to go over all these matters. I do not know what more I can do.
58.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that in many cases drugs of lower potency than prescribed are being supplied at public dispensaries; and that this renders proper treatment difficult; and if he will take steps to ensure that drugs of potency prescribed are supplied.
Mr. O'Malley
I am not aware that in many cases drugs of lower potency than prescribed are being supplied at health authority dispensaries. Samples of medical preparations, supplied under contract are tested where there is any reason to suspect that they may not come up to standard, and in a recent case in which a drug failed such test, the preparation was withdrawn, and, as I have said in reply to the previous question, I am having the entire matter examined.
Is the Minister aware that I am not referring to the previous question but to the fact that different strengths of the same preparation are available and when one strength is ordered, a strength of lower potency is supplied in the dispensary? Further, could the Minister issue an order to the health authorities to ensure that drugs of the potency ordered are supplied? I would point out that this has no connection with the previous question.