David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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908. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to address difficulties in accessing clonazepam; if he will provide an update on work to ensure that there is a consistent supply of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54180/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you for your question - unfortunately, medicine shortages have become increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade and are a feature of modern health systems around the world. There are many reasons for such shortages including shortages of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties, logistical/transport issues or product recalls due to potential quality defects.  

Medicines shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicines shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health. Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicines shortages framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur. 

The HPRA have been notified of a shortage of Clonazepam Rosemont 0.5mg/5ml oral solution by the supplier. The company has indicated that there has been an unexpected increase in demand for this product and resupply is expected in December 2022.  

Further information on current and resolved shortages can be found on the shortages page of the HPRA’s website. The website is updated daily as we receive new information.

www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/medicines-information/medicines-shortages