Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
355. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will establish an adrenaline station in Leinster House as a matter of good practice, with a view to setting up such a provision in all workplaces, community facilities and schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42752/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in October 2015, my predecessor, Minister Leo Varadkar, T.D., signed regulations which allow certain prescription-only medicines to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations. It is important to note that these regulations 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.
In order for an organisation to avail of an emergency medicine without the need for a prescription, it must first register with the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, and undergo a training course accredited by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, PHECC. This register is publically available through the Emergency Medicines Portal on the HPRA website and can be found at: www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/emergency-medicines/emergency-medicines-search/results.
There is currently a total of 14 organisations, and 21 accountable persons, listed on the register for Emergency Medicines. Each organisation may register more than one site and more than one accountable person.
Prescription-only medicines, POMs, such as adrenaline auto-injectors, are so designated because there are safety concerns about these medications. The administration of a POM should not be done lightly and should only occur following appropriate training. Any decision to undergo training on the use and administration of an emergency medicine rests with individual organisations.
