Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Health the reason Eltroxin has tripled in price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31644/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Eltroxin, which contains the active substance levothyroxine, is a long-established medicine that is used to control hypothyroidism, congenital hypothyroidism and juvenile myxoedema. It is marketed in tablets containing 25, 50 and 100 micrograms and is the subject of a marketing authorisation in Ireland. The product is manufactured in the United Kingdom. A shortage of Eltroxin emerged in February 2012 when the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency suspended the authorisation of an alternative levothyroxine 100 microgram tablet product. As a result, the overall supply of levothyroxine on the Irish and UK markets was reduced.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the IMB have been managing the situation and issued a joint communication (26th April 2012) via the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) updating pharmacists on management of the shortage. The HSE put in place special arrangements to reimburse suitable UK licensed product stock and this was notified to community pharmacists on 1st May 2012. The HSE have advised that 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms Eltroxin were released onto the Irish market in mid-June. However, where that has not been sufficient to address immediate patient need, pharmacists have dispensed unlicensed levothyroxine, which is more expensive than Eltroxin.