536. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health her views that regulation is needed to protect autistic people from unscientific and unregulated products / protocols that can cause serious harm, such as chlorine dioxide solution and chlorine dioxide enemas; and her views that marketing chlorine dioxide as a 'cure' to treat autism should be banned. [66423/26]

Under the Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations 2007, as amended, a medicine cannot be placed on the market in Ireland unless it has a marketing authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or a Community marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Any product which makes a medicinal claim to treat a medical condition, including autism, is considered to be a medicine and requires authorisation under this legislation.

Chlorine dioxide products, sometimes referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), are not authorised as medicines for sale or supply in Ireland. Any manufacture, supply or sale of such products for the purpose of treating a medical condition is illegal.

The HPRA, as the competent authority for the implementation of medicines legislation, has previously warned against the use of chlorine dioxide products and has led a number of investigations into their alleged manufacture, supply and sale. The HPRA uses a range of enforcement powers to tackle such activity, including the seizure of products and, where appropriate, prosecution.

The HPRA, in cooperation with Revenue's Customs Service, An Garda Síochána and other international regulatory and law enforcement agencies, actively monitors the movement and supply of unauthorised and illicit medicines to Ireland.

Products marketed as treatments or cures for autism are subject to medicines legislation and must have the appropriate regulatory authorisation before being placed on the market. The legislation provides for enforcement action against the manufacture, supply, sale or promotion of unauthorised medicinal products.