David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1450. To ask the Minister for Health if she is aware of a shortage of a skin cancer drug efudix through pharmacies; the action being taken by her Department in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29703/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The company that markets Efudix 5 % w / w Cream (Viatris) has confirmed to Ireland's medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on 5th June 2025 that this medicine is currently marketed and available for supply in Ireland.

A medicine shortage is when the supply of a medicinal product is inadequate to meet the needs of patients. In European law, pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers should ensure an appropriate and continuous supply of the medicines they market. Companies should notify the HPRA of medicines shortages or potential shortages impacting the Irish market.

When the HPRA receives a shortage notification, its role is to coordinate a multistakeholder response via the National Medicines Shortages Framework ("the framework"). The notification of possible shortages to the HPRA is the basis for triggering the framework and the associated coordinated multi-stakeholder response as required, including preventative or mitigation strategies.

The HPRA maintains 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) and is in regular contact with suppliers in relation to these shortages with a view to minimising their duration and impact on patients. The webpage of the HPRA is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information related to ongoing and newly notified shortages. Efudix is not currently listed on the dedicated HPRA notified shortages webpage.