Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on placing mandatory arrangements wherever pharmaceutical products and alternative remedies are sold to distinguish clearly between products licensed by the Irish Medicines Board and unlicensed products in view of concerns that consumers are unaware of the difference between licensed and unlicensed products in pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11488/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Most of the regulatory initiatives in respect of medicinal products have their origins in EU directives that are required to be implemented in this country. Officials in the Department of Health and Children are finalising a package of regulations relevant to medicinal products and when these regulations are in place, all medicinal products, including herbal and homeopathic medicinal products, will be required to be authorised or registered by the Irish Medicines Board and it will be unlawful for any medicinal product not so authorised or registered to be placed on the market.

When these new arrangements come into force, licensed medicinal products will be given authorisation or certification numbers by the board and this should enable those who are involved in the marketing and use of medicinal products, including consumers, to distinguish between licensed and unlicensed products.