“Once again 2018 saw us continue our work to stem the flow of counterfeit and falsified medicines and medical devices into Ireland and to protect the health of those who may use these products. During the year, working with our partners in An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service, we detained almost 620,000 dosage units coming into Ireland. We continue to urge members of the public not to take risks with their health and to remember that the consumption of even very small quantities of these illegal medicines could potentially have very serious consequences.

“In recent years we witnessed a marked increase in the number of illegal anabolic steroids we were detaining. To raise awareness of the harmful side effects of using these products, we launched a public information campaign entitled ‘Zero Gains’ targeting young men in light of the growing evidence of anabolic steroid use to enhance body image. Using new research which showed a lack of awareness of the health risks associated with steroid use, the campaign incorporated social and digital media, outdoor and in-gym adverts in addition to traditional print and broadcast media channels to get the message across.

The HPRA initiated 4,532 enforcement cases (2017: 3,866). 619,213 dosage units of illegal medicines were detained during the year (2017: 984,915). The illegal products detained included sedatives (36%), erectile dysfunction medicines (18%) and anabolic steroids (16%).

p.39 Throughout 2018, the HPRA provided support to the Department of Health in their preparations to establish the Medical Cannabis Access Programme. Clinical guidance, developed by an Expert Reference Group established by the Minister, is available from the Department’s website and it is anticipated that the legislation required to underpin the programme for Irish patients will be published during 2019. This will permit consultants on the specialist medical register to initiate treatment with specified cannabis based products for patients with any of three specified conditions:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions;
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard antiemetic regimes;
- Severe, refractory epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.
The products for use via the Medical Cannabis Access Programme are not considered to be medicines. Consequently, a separate framework for their importation, supply, prescribing, dispensing and possession is required under the Misuse of Drugs legislation. Only cannabis based products for medical use that meet criteria set out in the associated legislation will be permitted under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme. Further information will be available on the Department of Health website during 2019.