Vol. 407 No. 6
169 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health if, in the light of the World Health Organisation view that as not more than 200 of the currently available 25,000 drugs are needed for the treatment of the majority of illnesses, he has any plans to curtail the number of drugs available.
I have no plans at present to further curtail the number of drugs available either generally or on the GMS scheme. I would point out that the availability of drugs and medicines in this country is subject to the controls set out in the Medical Preparations (Licensing, Advertisement and Sale) Regulations, 1984-1989. These regulations require that all medicine supplied in the country must be subject to a product authorisation granted by the Minister for Health, such authorisations only being granted following the assessment and advice of the National Drugs Advisory Board.
