Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on Ireland's preparedness and supplies of Tamilfu and Relenza in view of a recent claim by scientists that the UK Government is failing in the fight to prevent a flu pandemic by stockpiling just one anti-viral drug, Tamiflu; if this is part of the recommendations; when the report from the influenza pandemic expert group will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41383/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Influenza Pandemic Expert Group is finalising its report for publication later this month. I can confirm that our pandemic influenza preparedness strategy includes the stockpiling of supplies of Tamiflu and Relenza.

An emergency supply of over 45,000 treatment packs of the antiviral drug, Tamiflu, was purchased in 2004. A further 1 million treatment packs of Tamiflu have now been stockpiled as part of our pandemic preparedness strategy. This quantity is sufficient to treat 25% of the population and is in line with international trends. We have also stockpiled 63kg of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (oseltamivir phosphate powder). This will allow for treatment of approximately 60,000 children aged between 1 and 5 years of age.

We are also stockpiling 706,000 courses of Relenza. This is sufficient to cover 20% of the population over the age of seven. This antiviral can be used in the event of resistance developing to the first line drug, Tamiflu, and will also provide cover if the clinical attack rate is higher than 25%. This stockpile will be complete by September 2007; the first 70,000 courses have been delivered.