Two of the largest hospitals in the State confirmed today they had supplied pituitary glands to the pharmaceutical industry following post-mortems of patients in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dublin-based St Vincent's University Hospital and St James's Hospital confirmed in statements that pituitary glands were to supplied to pharmaceutical companies for the manufacture of a human-growth hormone used for treating children of small stature.
Neither hospital has yet given details of to which pharmaceutical company they supplied the glands or what, if any, payment or administrative contribution the hospitals received. Although both hospitals said the Dunne inquiry has been informed of the practice, neither hospital said when this had occurred.
Their confirmation brings to 22 the number of hospitals which have confirmed they had supplied pituitary glands to the pharmaceutical industry up to the middle of the 1980s.
So far, only two of the six pharmaceutical companies understood to have received glands from up to 32 Irish hospitals have issued statements confirming their involvement. These companies are Novo Nordisk and Pharmacia Ireland, which was then known as KabiVitrum.
The Department of Health has set up a helpline for those affected by the controversy. The helpline started operating this morning and can be contacted at 1800-454500.
Parents for Justice, a support group for families affected by organ retention, has criticised the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, for his response, accusing him of lacking compassion.