Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2015
67. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to make adequate provision for the potential life-saving availability of an EpiPen without prescription in emergency situations; if he will be amending legislation or introducing guidelines on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35547/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast Thursday 15th October 2015 I signed new regulations which will allow certain medicines, including epipens, to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations. The emergency medicines covered by the new regulations are:
- adrenaline auto-injectors (treatment of anaphylaxis)
- glyceryl trinitrate (treatment of unstable angina)
- salbutamol (treatment of asthma attacks)
- glucagon (treatment of diabetic hypoglycaemia)
- naloxone (treatment of opioid overdose)
- entonox (gas mixture consisting of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen) (management of severe pain when used by emergency rescue organisations e.g. mountain rescue teams).
This is an important initiative which has the potential to save lives. Organisations such as colleges, workplaces and sports venues will be allowed to hold these medicines and arrange for staff to be trained in their use. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) which accredits paramedics will be given the role of accrediting courses for lay people which will be available in the coming months.
Additionally pharmacists will be able to supply and administer these medicines to individuals in emergency circumstances. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is developing training standards and it is envisaged that they will be able to commission and accredit courses in the coming months. These new arrangements do not in any way change the existing 'good Samaritan' rule which allows any member of the public to assist a person in distress to administer a medicine which has been prescribed to them. Equally, these regulations in no way diminish the responsibility or the importance of people continuing to carry the medicines that they need to manage their own health needs.
