18th November,1999
ST.
JOHNS WORT
TWO YEARS AGO
Tanaiste Announces 43 New
Jobs at Lichtwer Pharma GMBH
& Dr. Willmar Schwabe in Cork
Elisa Partnership
Ringaskiddy
Co Cork
Mary Harney, Tanaiste &
Minister for Enterprise, trade and Employment, announced today
Wed 5th November 1997 that a new herbal extract facility is to be
established at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork leading to the creation of 43
new jobs.
The facility is a joint venture involving two German companies-
Dr. Willmar Schwabe GMBH & Co and Lichtwer Pharma GMBH. In an
IR£10.5million joint venture with IDA Ireland support, the new
facility will extract the active ingredients from the St. John's
Wort plant. This plant-derived medicine is an established
treatment for depression. It is available as a prescription
product and also through health food outlets.
The world market for anti depressants is dominated by synthetic
drugs but the markets are also supplied by companies such as
Dr.Willmar Schwabe GMBH & Co. and Lichtwer Pharma GMBH, with
medicines derived from natural plant-derived substances including
an extract from the St. John's Wort plant.
(IDA Press Release November '97)
Open Letter to the
Minister of Health and Children
Dear Minister
Regarding St. John's Wort, we have recently been in touch with
the Irish Medicines Board and with your Department of health and
Children and have asked them some questions, which they seem
unable to answer so perhaps you might be able to help us.
We know there are nine members on the Irish Medicines Board but
what are their qualifications and who do they work for in the
private sector?
Who funds the Irish Medicines Board?
Why is Ireland the only country in the EU to insist on putting
St.John'S Wort on prescription?
Has the decision to prescribe St.John's Wort anything to do with
a pharmaceutical plant in Ringaskiddy, which is about to go into
the production of St John's Wort extract?
We look foreward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience
Yours faithfully
Michael O'Hanlon
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