asked the Minister for Health if, in the light of statements by representatives of many responsible professional bodies that the safety and health of the public will not be afforded adequate protection by existing legislation in respect of drugs, he will state (a) the date on which he received the recommendations of Comhairle na Nimheanna and (b) the date on which he proposes to introduce new regulations to give effect to these recommendations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Drugs.
55.
The answer to (a) is the 26th June, 1964.
With regard to (b) it is not possible to give a precise date. I can only repeat what I have already said in reply to previous questions that the drafting of regulations is proceeding with the best possible speed, taking into account the comprehensive nature of the recommendations and the highly complex nature of the drafting.
I would, however, point out that in November, 1966, regulations entitled Medical Preparations (Control of Sale) Regulations, 1966, were enacted which restricted to pharmacists, etc., and then only on prescription the sale of a very large range of medical preparations containing substances recommended by Comhairle na Nimheanna for control.
The regulations now being drafted will replace these regulations and effect further controls.
Is the Minister aware that there are six drugs of addiction freely available without prescription?
No.
Is the Minister aware that they were not covered by the regulations of February, 1966? They are not included in them. I sent details of these to his Department some months ago.
56.
asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to bring the sale of methedrine under control and to curb the right to prescribe it by private doctors.
57.
asked the Minister for Health if he will consider setting up a committee to investigate sales of amphetamines with a view to bringing this drug under control.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
The retail sale of amphetamines, including methedrine, is already controlled under the Medical Preparations (Control of Sale) Regulations, 1966, which provide that the substances in question may not be sold to the public by persons other than pharmaceutical chemists, dispensing chemists and druggists and registered druggists and may not be dispensed except on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary surgeon. As I have already indicated in reply to previous questions, and in a recent press statement, I propose to strengthen the existing powers of control by making the unauthorised possession of such substances a punishable offence.
As regards the Deputy's suggestion that I should take steps to curb the right of private medical practitioners to prescribe methedrine, it would be a serious step to interfere with the right of a doctor to prescribe the drug of his choice for a patient.
The Minister will be aware that certain rules have been suggested to the authorities in Britain to deal with these two drugs and that high medical opinion holds that neither of these drugs is strictly necessary to the practice of good medicine?
There appear to be varying views on this. The Irish Medical Association were consulted. They were against the idea of banning the drug altogether.
58.
asked the Minister for Health if he has a record of the sales of heroin in this country; and how much of it was imported last year.
The total amount of heroin imported into this country in 1967 was 174 grammes—6 ozs approx.
This was used in minute quantities in the preparation of medicines for sale on prescription by retail chemists. Records are not available in my Department of the individual prescriptions.
That is the legal importation?
Would the Minister not think it well that this commodity should be brought under more strict control as there are reports widespread in Britain that it is being exported illegally from here. Arising from this, it may be accepted that some of it might find its way in here through unorthodox channels.
I appreciate this. I have no doubt at all that unfortunately a certain amount of this drug is coming into this country illegally. The information I have given relates to the legal purchase of heroin.
Is there any truth in the report that Ireland is being used as a base for the illegal importation and re-export of heroin to Britain?
The Deputy is nothing if not sensational.
That has been reported. Deputy Carter asked the same question in other words.
Let Deputy Carter and Deputy L'Estrange both give whatever information they have to the police.
I did so. I gave my information to the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána——
It is the duty of everybody concerned with the public welfare, whether in this House or outside it, forthwith to give to the police, to me or to the Minister for Justice any information, however tenuous it might be, immediately.
I went to the Commissioner of the Police three years ago with any information I had. I gave it to him.
I would expect the Deputy would be responsible enough to do that.