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Wednesday 7 June 2023 Dublin: 11°C

# Medication

This year
2023
# Mental Health
CAMHS report raises serious concerns about children on medication not getting follow-up care
Some children and adolescents seeking mental health treatment are not getting appointments for up to two years, a new report has found.
Some children and adolescents seeking mental health treatment are not getting appointments for up to two years, Órla Ryan reports
In one catchment area, there were 140 "lost" cases where young people didn't receive follow-up care
Dr Susan Finnerty decided to produce an interim report due to "the serious concerns and consequent risks for some patients"
Report into Kerry CAMHS services 'shocking', says Taoiseach as nationwide audit ordered
Last year
2022
# menopause
Call for zero VAT rate to be applied to HRT for women in menopause
The Department of Health has suggested that all non-oral medication on the HSE’s formal reimbursement list could benefit from a zero VAT rate.
# Medication
Report into Kerry CAMHS services 'shocking', says Taoiseach as nationwide audit ordered
Review of 1,300 children who attended the HSE-run South Kerry CAMHS found 46 of them suffered “significant harm”.
All time
# covid19
Public warned not to buy fake medicines that claim to treat or prevent coronavirus
The European Medicines Agency said these falsified medicines can cause serious harm.
# Medication
Benzodiazepine use in Irish over 65s is higher than international average
Benzodiazepine medicine use in women over 65 years is 40% higher than in men, finds a new report.
# Health
Clinical trials involving Irish patients 'saved the health service €13m' over two years
A new report published today is calling for a scaling-up of clinical research infrastructure in Ireland.
# Spinraza
'We are failing these children spectacularly': Row over drug with 'exorbitant' cost rumbles on
Negotiations, and clashes, over the price of Spinraza are ongoing behind the scenes.
# Spinraza
'You wouldn't tell a child they couldn't have chemo, but our son is being denied the medication he needs'
Parents of children with a rare genetic condition are fighting for access to a potentially life-changing drug.
# 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.
# HIV
'I'm most angry at myself': HIV positive people continue to suffer from stigma in Ireland
17% of people living in HIV say they have felt suicidal in the last year.
# Cystic Fibrosis
'In danger of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory': How tension built ahead of Orkambi deal
HSE and Vertex employees were working long hours behind the scenes to secure the historic agreement.
# Entresto
'Patients are being put at risk': Funding issues stopping 20,000 people receiving 'life-saving' meds
The medication has been proven to help cardiac problems.
# Heart Attack
Cholesterol-lowering vaccine could be available in six years
The medication has shown promise in mice.
Two boys fighting for access to drug that could help them keep walking
Translarna, the only treatment for boys with a specific type of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, costs €400,000 per patient per year.
# Medicine
Older people ending up in hospital due to inappropriate prescriptions
People over the age of 65 are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of medicine.
# fibromyalgia
'There’s never a minute in the day I don’t feel pain'
Eleanor O’Farrell is one of the many people in Ireland who have fibromyalgia, often dubbed ‘the invisible illness’.
# Courts
Man who raped woman and left her injured in laneway is jailed for 13 years
The woman was found “in a shocking condition”, the judge said.
Voices
'Why am I on anti-depressants? Because I suffer from depression'
‘We’ve come on in leaps and bounds when it comes to conversations around mental health but we are still so ANTI antidepressants, it’s depressing,” writes Rosemary MacCabe.
# Epilepsy
'There is always the chance of not waking up after a seizure'
Irish-led research could lead to a breakthrough in treatment for people with epilepsy.
# Your Say
Poll: Have you ever bought medication online?
Irish people have been warned about the dangers of buying from unregistered sites.
# Depression
Mindfulness therapy can be as good as medication for preventing depressive relapses
The alternative treatment helps patients learn how to respond more constructively to their thoughts and feelings.
# prescription
'Disgraceful and dishonourable' doctor found to have over-prescribed sleeping tablets to addict
A fitness to practice committee found 11 allegations against De Mohammed Khan resulted in professional misconduct.
# never seen before
Mother of Cork toddler thanks hospital for saving her daughter with rare diabetes
Medication designed for Ava has meant that she no longer needs an insulin pump and can now live at home.
# cross border prescriptions
Now you can pick up your prescription while you're on holiday
If you’re in the EU, that is.
# Medication
Irish pharmacists say epilepsy and pain relief drugs in short supply
The Department of Health said medicine shortages are a global issue but it works with health professionals to avoid and manage them when they arise.
# Medication
Prescription charges bring in €120m but hurt 'most vulnerable in society'
Groups representing carers, elderly people and those on low incomes have called for a reduction but that’s not likely to happen in the next Budget.
# bad dose
14% of older Irish people prescribed 'inappropriate' drugs
One of the most frequently inappropriately prescribed drugs was aspirin – given to those with no history of brain or heart problems.
# not good
Study: Irish people on medication still drink alcohol, even when they shouldn't
Researchers found that one in five people taking anti-depressants reported drinking heavily.
Voices
Opinion: On medication, I function – off medication, I don’t. It’s as simple as that.
I want to put myself out there as walking proof that medication can, and does, work – and more that that, it’s vital for me to keep functioning.
# Wonder Drug
New drug is "a complete paradigm shift" in cancer treatment
Nine Irish people have been treated with Ibrutinib thus far.
# no review
No plans to extend Long Term Illness Scheme list despite not being updated since 1970
There have been calls that the new expert review panel for medical cards should match conditions on the LTI list.
# Pharmacy
Pharmacy delivery service set up after people stop taking meds due to cost
Healthwave offers generic medications to members of its Health Pass scheme. Now, it delivers medication around Ireland to further cut down on costs.
# popping pills
People with asthma, diabetes and high cholesterol worst at taking medication
Not taking your medication properly? It costs money – and could cost you your life.
# flu be gone
All set for Christmas, but now you're sick? What should you take to help?
Confused about over-the-counter medicines? If you’re sick what should you ask for?
# misperceptions
A spaceship crash, near apocalypse, and six other major miscalculations and mistakes
You’ll be making sure your i’s are dotted and your t’s crossed after this.
Voices
Column: Budgeting our depression? Funding cuts are disastrous to mental health
Cuts to medical card allowances and social welfare payments have a direct impact on peoples’ the mental health – I know because I am one of those affected, writes Kate Bellamy.
# Medication
One third of people are not taking enough of their prescriptions to cure them
This figure gets worse for people with long-term illnesses as a report found they are often struggling with the cost of their treatment regime.
# Me Nerves
Men drink, while women take medication to calm fear of flying
More than 20 per cent of women have a fear of flying compared with just 12 per cent of men.
# Medication
Irish people warming up to generic medicines
The Irish Medicine Board expects lists of interchangeable medicines to be ready within two months of legislation on the drugs commencing.
# Cancer
Longer use of breast cancer drug halves the risk of death
It is expected that this will be recommended from now on and as the drug is cheap and widely available, it could have an immediate impact.