Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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625. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to deal with supposed miracle cures for autism being marketed here, some containing bleach. [14810/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations 2007, as amended, a medicine cannot be placed on the market in Ireland unless it has a marketing authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or a community marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Any product which makes a medicinal claim to treat medical conditions such as autism is considered to be a medicine and requires an authorisation under this legislation.

The product referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution ('MMS') is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply in Ireland. Any manufacture, supply or sale of this product for the purposes of treating a medical condition is illegal.

The HPRA, the competent authority for the implementation of the medicines legislation, has led a number of investigations into the alleged supply of MMS in various parts of Ireland during the past year. It is pursuing a number of avenues of enquiry in what continues to be an open investigation into the manufacture, supply and sale of this product. Accordingly, I am limited in what I can say in respect of these investigations.

During its investigations to date, the HPRA has carried out searches at a number of premises assisted, where necessary, by An Garda Síochána and has also spoken to a number of individuals. In each case, substances and/or equipment have been detained for further examination. In one instance an individual has challenged the legality of a HPRA search (carried out on foot of a court issued warrant). The HPRA has successfully defended its actions in two separate court appearances.

The HPRA continues to advise consumers not to seek to purchase or take this product.