Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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535. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will consider sourcing additional pharmaceutical companies for chemotherapy drugs in view of the fact that the current supplier (details supplied) which has the monopoly on the market, has been unable to provide full supplies to hospitals over the past two weeks, due to a production constraint resulting in cancer patients treatment being reduced and compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24712/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The recent chemotherapy supply issues relate to manufacturing problems experienced by the Irish supplier of these compounded chemotherapy preparations. These manufacturing issues caused the interruption in the supply of certain chemotherapy products to a number of hospitals. Under the direction of the NCCP, hospitals implemented a number of contingency measures in order to minimise the impact on patients. Production of chemotherapy products resumed on the 22 of May and the company are working closely with hospitals to fulfil all orders made for this week.

Medical oncology services are provided to patients in 26 hospitals across the country. The vast majority of anti-cancer medications are made in the pharmacy compounding units in hospitals. The production of compounded chemotherapy products is among the highest risk pharmaceutical manufacture that occurs in Ireland and requires specialist facilities. Unfortunately in the last number of years several compounding manufacturers have exited the market.

There is one external manufacturer based in Ireland who supplies approximately 15% of compounded chemotherapy preparations to Irish hospitals. A number of hospitals source some of these products from licensed manufacturers in the UK. The licensed manufacturer in Ireland is subject to regulatory oversight by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

The HSE has indicated it intends to conduct a needs assessment for local compounding requirements at the hospitals providing chemotherapy services. This will inform the options on improving internal HSE resilience in the short, medium and long term.