Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - Alternative Medicines.

John Gormley

Ceist:

146 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the recent action of the Irish Medicines Board in including in an information pack for public representatives, an unscientific and prejudiced article which, in their words, was designed to give the broader context of its decision in relation to the prescription confinement of St. John's Wort; if he would not agree with the unsuitability of the IMB for the regulation of health products and natural medicines after such action; if the recent article sent to Members by the IMB which dismisses herbal and homeopathic medicines as voodoo medicine, now demonstrates an inconsistency in their advertising for a person with a scientific background to investigate and be responsible for the development of a national policy of herbal medicines which might be wasted work given that they have circulated an article which draws a comparison between traditional medicine and bogus science; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17130/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The article to which the Deputy refers was included in the information pack sent by the Irish Medicines Board to all Members of the Oireachtas and all Irish MEPs as a consequence of the appearance of the officers of the board at the meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committees on Health and Children and Enterprise and Small Business which discussed St. John's Wort and related matters. The pack consisted of fifteen different items and included the board's presentation to the meeting, documentation relating to St. John's Wort and the general issues surrounding the safety of herbal medicines, the board's recently published "Guide to the Definition of a Medicinal Product", and also the article in question. I have been advised by the Irish Medicines Board that this article was included as an alternative perception in respect of herbal medicines and which had been published in a reputable international non-technical journal. The board wishes to point out that the inclusion of this article in the information pack did not constitute any endorsement by the Irish Medicines Board of the views expressed in the article concerned.

I am satisfied the Irish Medicines Board plays an impartial role in the regulation of the distribution and sale of herbal medicinal products in Ireland. The Irish Medicines Board has recently published its three year strategic plan which outlines the board's philosophy in relation to all medicinal products including herbal medicinal products. Implicit in this philosophy is the board's total impartiality in its actions.

In these circumstances I would not agree that sending out this article demonstrates an inconsistency in their advertising for a person with a scientific background to investigate and be responsible for the development of a national policy of herbal medicines and that this might be wasted work.