Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to combat rogue websites selling medicines such as anti-depressants, valium and viagra to people without prescription; the current situation regarding the monitoring of these on-line pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29529/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of serious concerns regarding the on-line sale of medicinal products, since such sales do not have any requirement for the type of consultation and safety precautions which would normally accompany the sale of a medicinal product.

Anyone purchasing medicinal products via the Internet would normally have such products delivered by post. It is an offence in this country to supply prescription only medicines by mail order and provisions exist under the Prescription and Control of Supply Regulations to take action against anyone supplying prescription only medicines in this way. The Irish Medicines Board is responsible for investigating breaches of the medicines legislation in Ireland and the Board works closely with the Customs and Excise authorities to enforce these provisions.

The Board monitors the activities of on-line pharmacies and takes action against such pharmacies where possible. However the difficulties associated with policing the Internet in general also apply to on-line sales of medicinal products. The vast majority of internet pharmacies are based outside Ireland and this poses great challenges in the area of enforcement. The Irish Medicines Board works in partnership with medicines enforcement agencies in Europe and elsewhere to address this and has in the past taken action against on-line pharmacies outside Ireland where appropriate.