YOUR HEALTH OUR MAIN CONCERN

The article on miracle cures (The Examiner, November 10, 1999) quotes
a proprietor of a health food store both in relation to his theory
regarding the pharmaceutical industry and the Irish Medicines Board’s
(IMB) intentions. I can assure you that the IMB’s actions are not
influenced by any industrial lobby.

His dire predictions that vitamin C, garlic etc are all under threat
conflicts with the information we have given in meetings to Mr Andrew
Cape and his colleagues of the Irish Association of Health Stores and
repeatedly in the media over the last number of months.

There are two issues here. Firstly, the IMB’s Guide to the Definition
of a Medicine issued in May this year. This is not the law nor does it
change the law. It simply outlines the IMB’s view of what types of
product should under European law be regulated as medicines.

I am confident that most people will recognise that medicines need to
be regulated by an independent body and not by the industry promoting
them.

As the article points out this is big business with big rewards and
big profit margins. Mr Cape raises a concern about licensing costs but
I think people will recognise that the public do not have to choose
between cheaper but potentially less safe products and regulated but
more expensive products. The challenge to the industry is to increase
their efficiency so the consumer gets the right product at the right
price.

The reason for the IMB’s recommendation to the Department of Health &
Children that St John’s Wort should only be available on prescription
for medical needs was available to anyone who asked.

The IMB would be failing in its public duty if it were not to (a)
explain its views on complex matters like what is a medicine and (b)
act on its concern regarding a specific product.

The IMB’s sole concern is public health and ensuring that medicines
available to the public meet the required standards of safety, quality
and effectiveness in accordance with the law.

Dr Frank Hallinan,
Chief Executive,
Irish Medicines Board,
Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin 2.