Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Health his view on concerns raised in correspondence in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19319/15]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

303. To ask the Minister for Health his view on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding training for teachers and special needs assistants in the use of EpiPens; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19320/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 303 together.

Medicines legislation does not prohibit any person from administering a medicine to the person for whom it is prescribed, as long as the medicine is administered in the way it was intended by the prescriber. Section 4A (1) of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations states: 'It shall not be a contravention of the provisions of these Regulations for '(c) Any person, other than a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist, to administer to a patient, in accordance with the directions of a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist, any medicinal product subject to control by virtue of these Regulations.'

Adrenaline auto-injectors are medicinal products which are designed for administration by non-medical persons. It is noted that in the case outlined in the correspondence supplied that the child's Consultant has provided her school with instructions for use of the auto-injector along with a copy of the Irish Food Allergy Network (IFAN) anaphylaxis guidelines. Additionally, Epipens are supplied with a package leaflet which clearly outlines administration instructions. It is important that the school follows these instructions carefully in conjunction with guidance provided by the child's parents in the event that the child experiences an anaphylactic reaction.

Schools can obtain additional information on the management of anaphylaxis from organisations such as the Irish National Teachers' Organisation who have published guidelines for teachers on their website, a section of these guidelines deals specifically with the management of anaphylaxis at school.