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Tuesday 28 March 2023 Dublin: 7°C

# hpra

This year
2023
# winter surge
Over 200 medicines unavailable in Ireland, including cough syrups and soluble painkillers
There is a major shortage of over-the-counter treatments for respiratory illnesses and bacterial infections.
Last year
2022
# factcheck
Debunked: Self-proclaimed ‘inventor’ of mRNA vaccines makes nonsense claims about spike proteins
A COVID-19 infection can unleash literally billions of virions inside the body, each with dozens of spike proteins on their surface.
# hpra
Ivermectin: Seizures of false Covid 'cure' peaked last year, figures from drug watchdog show
The number are now tapering off.
# danger
Health products regulator warns against unauthorised 'self-tanning' substance
The HPRA said that social media has had a huge role at popularising the product.
# ivermectin
Almost 30,000 doses of ivermectin seized by health authorities last year
The HPRA warned people that having prescription medicines shipped into Ireland for personal use is illegal.
# cariban
HSE looking into whether 'special arrangement' possible for access to severe pregnancy sickness drug
Irish Pharmacy Union has said exceptional arrangements to fund the drug in individual cases should be put in place.
# ce mark
EU experts to discuss Genrui antigen tests after people report hundreds of false positives
Irish retailers have taken the at-home Covid-19 test kits off the shelves.
# false positives
Genrui antigen tests should be removed from shelves of Irish retailers, HPRA advises
The HPRA said that it was based on reports of false positives from 550 consumers.
The number of false positives being reported on Genrui antigen tests is "significant", says regulator.
The regulator has said that it will continue to liaise with Genrui to "investigate the matter further".
Current advice remains for people to follow public health guidance if they receive a positive result.
Genrui antigen tests: HPRA and company to investigate after multiple reports of false positives
# Covid-19
Genrui antigen tests: HPRA and company to investigate after multiple reports of false positives
The at-home antigen test kits are sold in a number of shops and pharmacies in Ireland.
The HPRA has received a number of complaints about the Genrui antigen tests, Órla Ryan reports
The at-home antigen tests are sold in a number of shops and pharmacies in Ireland
Genrui said it will continue to work "with local agents and partners" to resolve the issue
Schools set to re-open on Thursday as safety measures deemed 'effective and appropriate'
Free antigen tests for symptomatic under-40s can now be ordered online
All time
# warning
Huge surge in seizures of ivermectin as HSE warns against using unproven Covid-19 treatments
People have been buying the drug on the black market and having it shipped to Ireland.
# illegal medication
Sedatives and erectile dysfunction pills: One million doses of illegal medicines seized last year
The HPRA expressed concern at an increase in detention of illegal medicines during 2020.
# Covid-19
Health products regulator reports 'small number' of clotting events linked to AstraZeneca vaccine
The number of people affected is reported to be below five.
# blood clots
Irish medicines watchdog probing first blood clot case in AstraZeneca vaccine recipient
The HPRA confirmed it has received a case which describes “an unusual clot in the brain.”
# hpra
Irish regulator says government right to wait for EMA approval before using other vaccines
Dr Lorraine Nolan also said the public can be assured the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe.
# blood clots
EMA says benefits of AstraZeneca vaccine 'outweigh the risks of side effects'
Stephen Donnelly hopes vaccine appointments in Ireland will be rescheduled “very quickly”.
NIAC has recommended that the administration of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine be temporarily deferred.
Germany, France and Italy today halted use of the vaccine after, on Saturday, Norwegian officials reported further cases of blood clots or brain haemorrhages in younger people who received the jab.
The World Health Organization has said no causal link had been established between the vaccine and blood clotting.
Vaccine target for this week reduced by 30,000 doses due to precautionary pause in AstraZeneca use
Coronavirus: 16 deaths and 543 new cases confirmed in Ireland
# Vaccines
Vaccines: 740 reports of suspected side-effects have been sent to the health products regulator
The HPRA receives these reports from individuals on a voluntary basis.
# Covid-19
Vaccines: 257 people have reported suspected side-effects to the health products regulator
121,900 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Ireland to date.
# hpra
Benefits of Covid-19 vaccines 'continue to outweigh risks' as 81 cases of suspected side effects reported
Over 77,000 vaccines have been administered in Ireland so far.
# covid19
People advised to hold off on trying for a baby for a period of time after getting Covid-19 vaccination
Some studies should become available in early 2021 that may change the advice.
# factcheck
FactCheck: Yes, the children's flu vaccine is authorised for use in Ireland
Despite what the misleading claim says, the Fluenz Tetra vaccine has been authorised since 2013.
# fire risk
Agencies warn of fire risk from emollient skin creams as UK records deaths and injuries
When emollient skin creams dry into fabrics, the material can become flammable and poses a danger if it touches a naked flame.
# magec
Parents of children affected by scoliosis spinal rod recall to be contacted by surgeons in next 24 hours
Thirty-one such devices have been placed on the Irish market, sparking concern among many parents.
# HRT
A shortage of menopause drugs in Ireland is causing 'inconvenience and distress' for women
That’s according to the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
# buying online
'You don't know what's in them': Warning against buying medicines on the internet as over 350,000 pills seized
There has been a steady decline in the number of medicines seized in the last three years.
# e-cigarettes
'Bear it in mind': Harris was contacted about vaping by minister and FG colleague
The Health Minister has said he has no intention of meeting with vaping companies.
# Brexit
No-deal Brexit fears: Health chiefs say enough medicines stockpiled to last till New Year
The HPRA will state that no major supply concerns have been identified to date.
# hpra
'We're told we need a massive chest and washboard abs': The rise of steroids - and the unspoken dangers
Experts explain why using unprescribed drugs to get ‘the perfect body’ can cause serious health problems.
# hpra
Illegal medicines: 740 abortion pills were seized in Ireland last year
Of the 619,213 dosage units seized, 36% were sedatives, 18% were erectile dysfunction medicines, and 16% were anabolic steroids.
# Defibrillator
Over 600 life-saving defibrillators in Ireland require urgent updates, HPRA warns
The HPRA issued its warning ahead of the forecasted drop in temperature over the coming days.
# essure
Irish women report painful complications from controversial sterilisation implant
The device has not been distributed in Ireland since January 2014.
# vaginal mesh
Reports made of controversial laser treatments being offered in place of vaginal mesh devices
The FDA issued a warning about the use of these treatments in July.
# operation pangea xi
Almost 90,000 illegal prescription medicines, including 5,700 erectile dysfunction pills, seized
The seizure was made as part of the Interpol-coordinated Operation Pangea XI.
# warning
Hospitals warned about safety of patient trolleys after reports of some malfunctioning
The HPRA said that it is aware of complaints made from an Irish hospital regarding the Tautmann UT10 patient trolley.
# self-testing
Don't rely on home HIV tests alone for diagnosis, warns watchdog
People are being warned that no HIV self-test can detect the virus immediately after infection and the tests are not 100% reliable.
# Steroids
'Steroids aren't just for people playing in the Olympics anymore - They're more recreational'
A coroner for Cork city this week warned against the dangers of steroid use at the inquest into the death of an 18-year-old boy.
# europewide
Heart condition medication recalled over 'probable carcinogen' impurity
Patients are being advised to keep taking their medication but to discuss their treatment with a pharmacist or doctor.
# Drugs
Steroids and erectile dysfunction pills: One million doses of illegal medication seized last year
The HPRA has expressed concern about the abuse of anabolic steroids, which have side-effects including liver damage and blood clots.
# medical abortion
Here's the number of abortion pills seized in Ireland in the past 10 years
“There is a risk when you buy anything from an unknown source that you simply do not know what you are getting.”
# zinbryta
MS drug pulled from Irish and EU market after 12 patients worldwide suffer 'serious brain disorders'
The European Medicines Agency has recommended the immediate suspension and recall of Zinbryta.
# Sativex
Father of brain injury victim who suffers spasms seeks access to trial of cannabis-based drug
Sativex can be trialled for MS sufferers but not those with acquired brain injury.