Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Written Answers. - Drug Control Regulations.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

14 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health if, in view of his recent criticisms of drugs companies regarding inducements being offered by some drug companies to encourage GPs to prescribe their more expensive branded products, he will give the reason regulations have not been introduced to control such activities which are required under EC Directive 92/28/EEC which was to have been implemented by 1 January 1993; when it is intended to introduce and implement these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I will be in a position to make regulations this month to give effect to the provisions of the Directive in question. Consultations with the professional and industry interests concerned were necessary in the first instance, to ensure that the statutory and administrative arrangements for the implementation of the new measures would be fully effective.