Helen Keogh
Ceist:54 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he is taking to eradicate CFCs from metered dosage inhalers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23700/96]
Written Answers. - CFCs Elimination.
Helen Keogh
Ceist:55 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the direction or information his Department has given or intends to give to doctors in respect of prescribing non-CFC inhalant medication. [23701/96]
Helen Keogh
Ceist:56 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the agency, if any, in his Department or any other Department charged with responsibility for creating national awareness on the matter of changeover from CFC-containing inhalers to non-CFC inhalants in relation to the treatment of asthma and other respiratory conditions. [23702/96]
Limerick East): I propose to answer Questions Nos. 54 to 56, inclusive, together.
In line with Government policy, I am fully supportive of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The Protocol, whilst recognising that there is an existing and continuing requirement for inhaled medications such as CFC-containing metered dose inhalers, calls for the elimination of such products by the year 2005.
The research and development necessary to provide alternative products is proceeding and the schedule for the safe introduction of new propellants and reformulated products is on schedule. Already the first such product has become available and, in fact, was launched in Ireland earlier this year. In addition, there are a number of applications currently under assessment by the Irish Medicines Board for other CFC-free products and it is likely that these will become available in the coming year. As more reformulated non-CFC containing products become available, we can expect to see the virtual elimination of CFC-containing inhalers.
While welcoming the availability of non-CFC inhalers and, at the same time looking forward to the eventual elimination of CFC-containing products, I must recognise that ultimately the decision to prescribe any particular medicine is a matter for individual medical practitioners.