by Deborah Condon

A Limerick-based businessman has been successfully prosecuted by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) for illegally selling eczema creams containing steroids. This marks the first case of its kind for the IMB.

Donal Walsh (60), formerly of Ballysimon Road, Limerick, had been selling his product, Cherrydex, for 15 years both here and in Britain. The cream contained corticosteroids, which are prescription-only medicines.

People purchased the cream believing it to be a herbal remedy for eczema, with many buying it for their children. The use of a steroid-containing cream can have adverse and long-term effects, if applied in uncontrolled conditions.

Walsh was fined £3,000 at Newport District Court for supplying a medicine containing prescribed substances, supplying a medicine by mail order, supplying a medicine without IMB authorisation and for witness expenses.

Mr Walsh, who is still thought to be living in Limerick, charged customers £30 per tub of Cherrydex and advised them to apply it to their body six times daily.