Vol. 437 No. 4
13 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Health his views on the concerns expressed in a recent video for GPs by his Department's drug prescribing expert, Dr. Hugh McGavock, on the safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
32 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if, in the event of his Department sharing concerns expressed about the safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, he will make a statement on the way in which these drugs were approved for use in this country.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 32 together.
The purpose of the video referred to was to provide advice by a recognised medical expert to general practitioners on the appropriate prescribing of various categories of medicines. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a well established and accepted role for particular indications, the point being made in the video was that these products are often used in circumstances where a simple pain killer would suffice.
Like all medical preparations, these products have their adverse effects, particularly if used over a prolonged period of time, which medical practitioners must take into account in prescribing for their patients.
All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs approved for use in this country are the subject of product authorisations on the advice of the National Drugs Advisory Board. The board operates a monitoring system for all medical products on the market under which adverse effects of drugs are recorded. In its monitoring of these adverse reactions, the board may decide that the use of the products concerned may be further restricted and that appropriate warnings and precautions be incorporated in the information supplied to medical practitioners.
I am satisfied that the procedures in place for the authorisation and use of these products are sufficient to protect public health. I would reiterate that the expert advice contained in the video relates to the appropriate use of medical preparations by doctors.
Would the Minister agree it is fundamentally important that there be no confusion on this issue? It would be very damaging if the impression was given, inadvertently or otherwise, that medical card holders are being offered drugs of the yellow pack standard, drugs that are not up to the standard approved by the National Drugs Advisory Board. In light of what emerged from that video it is important that a definitive statement be clearly conveyed to everybody because at the end of the day perceptions can be damaging.
I will make a definitive statement for the Deputy and the House. The best possible medicines are available to all patients regardless of whether they are medical card holders. Some discussion took place on this matter in the Select Committee on Social Affairs. I totally reject the notion that there is pressure on doctors to prescribe anything but the best for their patients. I am sure general practitioners would be the first to resist any such pressure. I will make one point by way of illustration of my regard for medical card holders. When pressure was brought to bear in relation to the availability of the flu vaccine in recent months, it was medical card holders who had access to stocks.
What I spoke of was the perception. I have no major concern in this regard, but it is important that people do not fan unnecessary flames.
