# 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.

28.5k

Jan 9th 2023, 9:38 AM

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.

894

Dec 29th 2022, 3:01 PM

# hpra

Ivermectin: Seizures of false Covid 'cure' peaked last year, figures from drug watchdog show

The number are now tapering off.

12.0k

Aug 5th 2022, 12:05 AM

# 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.

14.5k

Jun 27th 2022, 2:25 PM

# 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.

19.3k

Feb 24th 2022, 4:15 PM

# 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.

16.5k

Feb 9th 2022, 6:15 AM

# 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.

20.8k

Jan 11th 2022, 6:00 AM

# 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.

103k

Updated

Jan 5th 2022, 8:19 PM

# 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

215k

Jan 4th 2022, 4:11 PM

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.

101k

191

Sep 13th 2021, 12:05 AM

# 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.

7.1k

Jun 8th 2021, 4:41 PM

# 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.

24.5k

Apr 23rd 2021, 8:16 AM

# 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.”

34.4k

Apr 8th 2021, 6:07 PM

# 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.

14.0k

Mar 23rd 2021, 6:00 AM

# 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.

53.3k

120

Updated

Mar 15th 2021, 5:59 PM

# 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.

98.6k

Feb 4th 2021, 6:56 PM

# 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.

100k

Jan 21st 2021, 6:26 PM

# 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.

66.3k

Jan 18th 2021, 7:16 PM

# 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.

85.2k

Dec 15th 2020, 6:36 PM

# 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.

10.1k

Nov 20th 2020, 6:15 AM

# 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.

38.3k

Jul 31st 2020, 6:05 AM

# 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.

25.4k

Updated

Feb 26th 2020, 3:34 PM

# 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.

19.6k

Feb 21st 2020, 6:00 AM

# 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.

10.8k

Nov 14th 2019, 3:00 PM

# 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.

20.1k

Nov 8th 2019, 6:30 AM

# 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.

7.4k

Sep 25th 2019, 12:05 AM

# 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.

6.0k

Sep 11th 2019, 5:01 PM

# 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.

8.2k

Mar 5th 2019, 3:44 PM

# 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.

9.6k

Jan 29th 2019, 1:56 PM

# essure

Irish women report painful complications from controversial sterilisation implant

The device has not been distributed in Ireland since January 2014.

23.2k

Dec 7th 2018, 4:25 PM

# 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.

15.2k

Oct 30th 2018, 6:00 AM

# 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.

10.3k

Oct 23rd 2018, 2:41 PM

# 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.

8.9k

Aug 29th 2018, 6:34 PM

# 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.

7.5k

Aug 2nd 2018, 2:41 PM

# 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.

21.2k

Jul 7th 2018, 10:00 PM

# 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.

27.9k

Jul 5th 2018, 10:23 PM

# 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.

11.2k

Apr 17th 2018, 12:34 PM

# 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.”

34.7k

Apr 3rd 2018, 12:05 AM

# 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.

50.1k

Mar 8th 2018, 10:07 PM

# 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.

22.0k

Feb 11th 2018, 12:05 AM