Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2105. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing legislation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19274/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike. Therefore, mitigating medicine shortages and strengthening security of supply is the subject of several workstreams in my Department, the wider health service and across Europe.

However, medicine shortages are, unfortunately, a feature of modern health systems worldwide and a global health problem. Issues surrounding security of medicines supply have been increasingly well characterised, both nationally and internationally, in recent years. The causes of such supply issues are multifaceted, ranging from supply chain issues, perennial shortages of raw materials, increases in demand and manufacturing delays.

Medicines shortages are managed through the Medicines Shortages Framework and immediate actions are taken by relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact on patients. Stakeholders in this framework include the HPRA, the Department, the HSE, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wholesalers, patient representative groups and marketing authorisation holders.

The HPRA hosts a list of current and resolved shortages on its website, www.hpra.ie/find-a-medicine/for-human-use/medicine-shortages?data=eyJpZCI6bnVsbCwic2tpcCI6MCwidGFrZSI6MTAsInF1ZXJ5IjpudWxsLCJvcmRlciI6Imxhc3R1cGRhdGVkIERFU0MiLCJmaWx0ZXIiOiJBbGwifQ%3D%3D. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information. In the event that patients or their carers are unable to source a medicine, they are advised to discuss possible alternatives with their doctor pending the resumption of normal supply.