# Medicines

All time

# Brexit

EU set to change laws so medicines can flow freely between Britain and Northern Ireland

The EU has proposed changing its own laws to ensure the free flow of medicines between Britain and Northern Ireland.

5.5k

Dec 17th 2021, 2:07 PM

# Procurement

'Affordable and transparent': HSE's new system for purchasing medicines to cost €1.3 billion

The five-year tender for a dynamic purchasing system will ensure good quality medicines are available on a timely basis, the HSE said.

16.6k

Jan 26th 2020, 6:30 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

# 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

# Tánaiste

Simon Coveney says people shouldn't stockpile medicines because of Brexit

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs was speaking to RTÉ ahead of Cabinet discussions for no-deal Brexit planning.

10.4k

Feb 19th 2019, 11:37 AM

# No deal

Harris tells public and pharmacies NOT to stockpile medicines for no-deal Brexit

The Irish government published contingency plans on medicines, transport and the Common Travel Area.

14.0k

Jan 15th 2019, 7:50 PM

# 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

# food hoarding

Sandwich ingredients safe: Taoiseach rules out 'food stockpiling' in the case of a hard Brexit

Leo Varadkar says while the Irish government is stockpiling medicines, it has no plans to stockpile food.

14.1k

Aug 1st 2018, 7:01 AM

# cost of drugs

Ireland plans to work with other countries to drive down the cost of expensive medicines

Ireland is to open negotiations with four countries on drug pricing and supply.

8.9k

Feb 13th 2018, 3:28 PM

# Shop Around

'Oh, that's just the price': €11 difference in cost of same medication in two Dublin pharmacies

One man was charged 32c a pill for his depression medication in one Dublin pharmacy, and 73c in another.

92.5k

Aug 20th 2017, 9:00 PM

# new research

Patients should be advised 'to stop treatment when they feel better' instead of full antibiotics course

Taking the full course doesn’t combat antibiotic resistance, according to a paper in the BMJ.

16.7k

Jul 27th 2017, 12:35 PM

# valproate

Epilepsy medicine linked to 'severe malformations' in children in France

The types of birth defects attributed to the drug included spina bifida as well as defects of the heart and genital organs.

12.9k

Apr 20th 2017, 10:14 PM

# Illegal Medicines

Steroids, growth hormones and erectile dysfunction pills worth €2 million seized in Donegal

Over 60,000 vials labelled as anabolic steroids were seized.

15.3k

Mar 9th 2017, 6:55 PM

# value of life

'Not fit for purpose': How an 'arbitrary' system decides what drugs get funded in Ireland

Within the finite resources of the health system, expensive drugs are routinely turned down.

10.0k

Jan 4th 2017, 7:00 AM

# Over the Counter

'I am nearly 60, but I still need to work': New rules could see pharmacy assistants made redundant

A pharmacy assistant is qualified to provide cover and dispense medications when a pharmacist is not on the premises.

37.1k

Mar 13th 2016, 7:45 AM

# Europe

Baby wipes, shower gel and makeup on harmful products list

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has flagged around 200 items.

50.3k

Feb 11th 2015, 9:36 AM

# Sleepy Dreamy Nighty Snoozy Snooze

Do you use medicines to help your child sleep? You shouldn't

It can be harmful, say pharmacists.

26.7k

Jun 16th 2014, 2:01 PM

# abbvie

New €85m research facility supporting 175 jobs opens in Sligo

The Taoiseach said it was a further vote of confidence in Ireland as a “leading location for investment for the life sciences sector”.

8.2k

Jun 3rd 2014, 6:57 PM

# 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.

8.2k

Mar 25th 2014, 2:45 PM

Voices

Damien Kiberd: Drop the goody-two-shoes approach to economic policy

Job figure increases are welcome – but Government needs to be bolshy to grab the three things it needs for proper growth.

Dec 22nd 2013, 8:30 AM

# Convictions

Unauthorised erectile dysfunction medicine leads to two court cases

A man and a woman were found supplying unauthorised prescription medicines for the condition.

13.1k

Oct 30th 2013, 8:29 PM

# Drugs

Shortages of key medicines is impacting patients' health

The lack of some anti-depressants, pain-relief medicines and eye ointments has gotten worse in the last 12 months.

5.9k

Jul 21st 2013, 3:18 PM

# Medicines

Six deaths linked to oral contraceptive pill in Ireland

Last year, there were 273 seizures of Yasmin and similar contraceptive pills in Ireland.

62.2k

Jul 1st 2013, 7:15 AM

# Nicotine

Electronic cigarettes to be sold as over-the-counter medicines in the UK

Experts say smokers are at risk from the toxins and tar in cigarettes, not the nicotine that is in e-cigarettes.

8.3k

Jun 14th 2013, 6:45 AM

# Acta

ACTA is dead: EU abandons referral to top court for ruling

The controversial international counterfeiting treaty will no longer be sent to the European Court of Justice.

40.6k

Dec 20th 2012, 8:49 AM

# Medicines

Tablet dump to help raise awareness of addiction to medication

In the past five years, benzodiazepine use has increased by nearly 40 per cent in Ireland. People are being encouraged to dump their old stockpiles of medication.

6.2k

Nov 14th 2012, 7:30 AM

# Medicines

Illegal medicines worth €375,000 seized in Ireland as part of global operation

The seizure included more than 120,000 tablets and capsules.

7.7k

Oct 4th 2012, 9:50 PM

# self-care

Group wants increase in number of medicines available without prescription

An expert healthcare group has said this should occur as part of a framework for self-care in Ireland.

5.1k

Sep 21st 2012, 7:00 AM

# Health

Sinn Féin: patients and taxpayers are being 'ripped off'

Further talks with IPHA about branded medicines are “imminent” but patients are still paying over the odds for generic medicines.

5.1k

Aug 6th 2012, 5:54 PM

# Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis patients begin move to new €22m unit

The new specialised facility at Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital comes after an eight-year campaign to provide those suffering with the condition with better care.

4.0k

Jul 30th 2012, 9:28 PM

# Acta

Controversial anti-piracy pact rejected by key European parliament committee

The international trade committee has said that the European Parliament should not ratify ACTA next month.

2.8k

Jun 21st 2012, 2:18 PM

# Medicine

New deal means some cheaper drugs on the way, says James Reilly

The price of off-patent medicines will be reduced under a new deal agreed between the HSE and the body representing the pharmaceutical industry.

4.8k

Jun 18th 2012, 7:20 PM

# Health

Boots to cut cost of prescription medicines for customers in Ireland

The pharmacy says that it is to lower the cost of the majority of its prescription medicines which will save customers on average 25 per cent.

7.8k

May 29th 2012, 7:15 AM

# Medicine

Pharmacists warn lack of vital medicines may endanger patients

The head of the Irish Pharmacy Union has said it is unacceptable that pharmacists and patients have put up with medicine shortages.

2.7k

Apr 28th 2012, 12:39 PM

# Health

Breast implants scare to be discussed at Leinster House

Irish Medicines Board to give latest news on status of PIP implants with which at least 1,500 Irish women were fitted.

1.1k

Mar 29th 2012, 6:44 AM

Voices

Sitdown Sunday: 7 deadly reads

The very best of the week’s writing from around the web.

Dec 11th 2011, 11:00 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should cough and cold remedies be banned for the under-6s?

The Irish Medicines Board says over-the-counter cough and cold medicines do no good for smaller children and shouldn’t be given to them. What do you think?

2.1k

Sep 20th 2011, 11:34 AM

Good Morning

The 9 at 9 Nine things to know this morning…

3.5k

May 9th 2011, 8:48 AM