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Medicinal Products Availability

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Ceisteanna (523, 536, 554, 579, 580, 581)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

523. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that life-saving adrenaline autoinjectors are available in emergency cases, similar to the defibrillator system with trained first responders; the steps being taken to alter the law in this regard to ensure that no further tragedies occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

536. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the present law and policy architecture regarding food allergies; if he will follow the US and UK models in this area; if he is considering new guidelines for the dispensing of emergency epinephrine autoinjectors at pharmacies and making them mandatory in restaurants and other places where the public consume food or congregate in large numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28279/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

554. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to make adequate provision for the potential life-saving availability of an epi-pen without prescription in emergency situations, with particular regard to the circumstances of the sudden and tragic death of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28384/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

579. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing emergency legislation either by ministerial order or statutory instrument that will allow a potentially life-saving anaphylaxis pilot initiative, the first responder anaphylaxis autoinjector programme at UCC, to go ahead. [28474/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

580. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will look again at introducing a scheme to make epi-pens available in schools, workplaces and other public places, similar to the provision of defibrillators; and if he will introduce a scheme to train volunteers as first responders. [28475/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

581. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the outcome of his examination of the possibility of amending the prescription and control of supply regulations to facilitate the wider availability of adrenaline pens without a prescription in emergency situations. [28476/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 536, 554 and 579 to 581, inclusive, together.

Adrenaline pens, as injectable medicines, may only be supplied on foot of a valid prescription. However, there is provision in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) which permits pharmacists, advanced paramedics, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, in emergency circumstances, to supply certain prescription only medicines including adrenaline injections without a prescription. My Department is currently examining the feasibility, taking account of policy and patient safety considerations, of amending the Prescription Regulations to facilitate wider availability of adrenaline pens in emergency situations, by persons trained in the administration of these pens.

This is a complex area and includes consideration of a wide range of issues such as appropriate training, including in the identification of anaphylaxis, conditions attached to use of the adrenaline pen, product availability and product shelf life. My Department is working closely with the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) on these issues, including consideration of the UCC proposal referred to by Deputy Adams.

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