65. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to reclassify the drug pregabalin, marketed as lyrica, as a class C or controlled drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: Pregabalin is used to treat epilepsy, anxiety and nerve pain caused by illnesses, including diabetes and shingles. Pregabalin is only available on prescription. 

While pregabalin is not a controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and its associated Regulations it is subject to the provisions of Statutory Instrument. No. 540/2003 - Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, specifically the restrictions on dispensing of prescriptions. 

The product information for Pregabalin include warnings and precautions to its use which was recently updated on advice from the European Medicines Agency. 

The control of any drug by its addition to the schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Acts must have an evidential basis. In this regard the Department of Health is always willing to examine evidence in relation to the use of pregabalin in order to determine the most appropriate course of action to reduce harm caused by the use of the drug.