Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
696. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all confiscations and seizures of illegal abortion inducing pills over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority responsible for the regulation of human medicines in Ireland. The HPRA employs enforcement actions, in cooperation with the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána, to identify the unauthorised supply of prescription only medicines, including those containing abortifacients, to the public. The HPRA uses a range of enforcement powers to tackle this activity including seizing product and taking prosecutions.
During the period from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016 the total numbers of abortifacient tablets detained were 3,042 Misoprostol tablets and 286 Mifepristone tablets. The breakdown of these per year is as follows:
- 2016: 536 tablets detained from 44 importations. Of these, 436 contained misoprostol and 100 contained mifepristone
- 2015: 850 tablets detained from 81 importations. Of these, 739 contained misoprostol and 111 contained mifepristone
- 2014: 1,017 tablets detained from 60 importations. Of these, 972 contained misoprostol and 45 contained mifepristone
- 2013: 438 tablets detained from 25 importations. Of these, 424 contained misoprostol and 14 mifepristone
- 2012: 487 tablets detained from 25 importations. Of these, 471 contained misoprostol and 16 mifepristone
