Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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514. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure those who rely on peginterferon á to manage blood cancer, among other diseases, are not losing out while its manufacturing is delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39006/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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515. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the manufacturing delays relating to the importation of mefenamic acid (ponstan); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39009/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Dear Deputy O’Callaghan,

Thank you for your question in relation to the important issue that is medicines shortages. To provide a comprehensive answer to your question, my Officials have reached out to our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA):

Chemidex Pharma Limited, the company responsible for supplying Ponstan, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Ponstan 250mg Capsules on 27 September 2024. The company anticipates resupply of Ponstan 250mg Capsules during the week commencing 28 October 2024.

The company has also notified a shortage of Ponstan Forte 500mg Film Coated Tablets due to manufacturing delays. The company anticipates resupply of Ponstan Forte 500mg Film Coated Tablets during the week commencing 7 October 2024.

The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its , where the details, including the information above, are detailed. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.

Shortages of medicines are unfortunately features of modern healthcare systems worldwide, with the causes ranging from unexpected increases in demand to manufacturing issues. However, please be assured that managing and mitigating shortages of medicines is the subject of several workstreams both in the Department of Health in Ireland and the EU.

Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place which is operated by the HPRA, on behalf of the Department of Health, which aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages across the health service as they arise.

I understand that shortages of medicines can cause a great deal of stress for patients and their healthcare professionals alike. Thusly, my Department would advise that patients, or their carers, who are concerned about their medicine(s) and their availability speak to their prescribing physician, who will be able to discuss alternatives for them.