Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

468. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 December 2018, the position regarding the shortage of the drug; the status of the availability of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3079/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health is aware of a temporary shortage of Hydrocortone (hydrocortisone) 10mg tablets in Ireland. The marketing authorisation holder has notified the medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), that the shortage of this medicine is due to manufacturing delays. Supply of the Irish authorised product is expected to resume in February 2019. A letter has been circulated to healthcare professionals to advise them of the situation.

In the interim, the Irish market is being supplied on a temporary basis with hydrocortisone 10mg tablets from other markets to meet the needs of Irish patients until supply of the Irish authorised medicine resumes. These medicines are being supplied as exempt medicinal products and can be ordered by pharmacists through Irish wholesalers. 

If a member of the public has any concerns regarding their treatment with this or any other medication, they should discuss this directly with their doctor or pharmacist.