Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
999. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of the promised legislation regarding availability of epinephrine injectors for anaphylaxis in view of the fact he stated nine months ago that this issue may be resolved within a six-month period; and if he will indicate a clear timeframe for this legislation. [31428/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year I launched a review to explore how we might make certain prescription only medicines more available for use in emergency situations. More recently I have signalled my intention to make legislative changes to allow for suitably trained non-medical persons to supply a range of prescription only medicines in very specific circumstances. These medicines include epinephrine injectors, salbutamol, glyceryl trinitrate, glucagon and naloxone.
This is a significant change to existing regulations around the supply of prescription only medicines and officials from my Department have been working closely with colleagues from the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Health Products Regulatory Authority on the legislative changes necessary to allow for this. I expect this work to be completed in coming weeks.
