Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:201 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether there is no workable licensing system for herbal medicines; and the proposals, if any, he has in this regard. [4990/00]
Written Answers. - Herbal Products.
The pharmaceutical committee of the European Commission, at its 48th meeting on 27 and 28 September 1999, agreed to set up a working group to examine possible future legislative initiatives in relation to traditional medicinal products. As it is anticipated that it will be some time before the difficulties in this area can be resolved at EU level, officials in my Department, together with the Irish Medicines Board, have been asked to examine the possibility of setting up an interim national licensing system for traditional herbal medicinal products such as may allow such products to be lawfully sold. The Irish Medicines Board is the competent authority in this country for the licensing of all medicinal products.