Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2017
712. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason primaquine was prescribed to soldiers by the Defence Forces, despite it being unlicensed and unregulated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. [6867/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimaquine is prescribed to Defence Forces personnel for two weeks when they return from deployment to a ‘malarious’ area. Primaquine kills the dormant ‘hypnozoite’ phase of malaria parasite which, if not killed, would have the potential weeks, months or years after returning home to give rise to a full-blown attack of malaria. The Director Medical Branch of the Defence Forces has indicated that Primaquine is unique in its action. There is no other medicine available which serves this purpose.
While Primaquine is not authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), I am informed that provision is made under the relevant legislation (Medicinal Products Control of Placing on the Market Regulations, 2007, (SI No 540 of 2007) for medicines that are exempt from authorisation when supplied on the order or prescription of a registered doctor for use by his or her individual patient under his or her direct responsibility in order to fulfil the special needs of those patients. I am advised that the usual circumstance leading to the prescribing of a medication which is not authorised is the non-availability of a similar authorised product.
You will be aware that my Department has reconvened the Malaria Chemoprophylaxis Working Group. The use of the Primaquine drug in the Defence Forces is being reviewed as part of the overall medical treatment process for those deployed to malarious areas. The Group expects to finalise its report shortly.
