Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:804. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on a matter regarding medication (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54593/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 October 2025
Ceisteanna (804)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike, thusly mitigating medicine shortages and strengthening security of supply is the subject of several workstreams in my Department, the wider health service and across Europe.
Medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide which have been exacerbated by recent worldwide events. It is a global health problem, not unique to Ireland, and increases in demand for medications and medicines shortages have been observed in the UK, throughout the EU and across the world in recent months, and there is no evidence that shortages disproportionately impact patients in Ireland compared to other countries.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder Medicines Shortages Framework in place, operated by our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The framework aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise. Stakeholders in this framework include the HPRA, the Department, the HSE, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wholesalers, patient representative groups and marketing authorisation holders.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
Teva B.V., the company responsible for supplying Ipramol Steri-Neb 0.5 mg/2.5 mg per 2.5 ml nebuliser solution, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Ipramol Steri-Neb 0.5 mg/2.5 mg per 2.5 ml nebuliser solution due to an unexpected increase in demand impacting globally. Teva B.V. are presently unable to advise of an exact date for resolution of the shortages of Ipramol Steri-Neb 0.5 mg/2.5 mg per 2.5 ml nebuliser solution.
To note, the recent shortage of Ipramol Salamol Steri-Neb 2.5mg/2.5 ml Nebuliser Solution has been resolved.
In the event that patients are unable to source a medicinal product due to supply constraints, they are advised to discuss possible alternatives with their healthcare professional pending the resumption of normal supply.