On Monday’s edition of The Afternoon Show Peter Murphy, Deputy CEO of Epilepsy Ireland, spoke to Gavin about National Epilepsy Week and the issues facing those that have the condition. Epilepsy Ireland is today encouraging people with epilepsy in Ireland to be aware of the dangers of generic substitution of epilepsy medications and to take specific actions to ensure that their epilepsy medications are not substituted. A system of generic substitution will soon be introduced by the Government through the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill, which is expected to be passed into law in the near future. Despite an intensive campaign driven by Epilepsy Ireland and supported by international evidence and national epilepsy expert opinion, the Bill will not make a specific exemption to exclude anti- epileptic drugs (AEDs) from substitution. Under the new system, a pharmacist will be able to dispense a generic version of a medicine, even when a specific brand has been prescribed. This advice is further explained in a new leaflet entitled “Accept No Substitute”, being launched today by Epilepsy Ireland. The leaflet is available on www.epilepsy.ie, from Epilepsy Ireland’s Head Office at 01 4557500 or any of the 10 offices nationwide.
Brendan Heneghan from the Ennis Teagasc branch also joined Gavin to discuss how one of Ireland’s staple food, the humble spud, is rising in cost. Families have been hit with a 10% hike in the cost of locally produced food because of the cold winter and delayed spring. Prices for staples like potatoes, broccoli, flour and meat have shot up since January 2012, according to the Central Statistics Office. The biggest hike was in a 10kg bag of spuds, which rose from €5.06 to €9.34 – or by 85%. CSO figures also show increases for broccoli (20%), brown flour (17%), topside or rib roast beef (14%) and a kilogramme of pork sausages (13%) amongst others.
Sarah Doran from Entertainment.ie also joined Gavin on the show to talk about this weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest 2013. Ireland came last in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 – with just three countries giving us 5 points. Denmark won the title with their song – Only Teardrops. But controversy abounds since Saturday night’s show as one of Ireland’s previous seven winners was the target of a jibe by Swedish presenter Petra Mede. During the segment, Petra explained Johnny Logan had won the Eurovision three times. Footage was then shown of Linda Martin’s winning song ‘Why Me’, which was written by Logan. Host Petra then suggested it was Johnny Logan in drag.
In our weekly “Calling Home” feature Inagh native, Margaret Shannon joined us from Charlotte, North Carolina. Margaret has spent the last 40 years in the US and spoke to Gavin about the time she left Clare, what she did and her life now in North Carolina. She also spoke of the role of the Clare Association in New York, with whom she volunteered and also the burgeoning Irish community in North Carolina.
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Orla Ni Eili and Abi Ladigbolu from the Clare Immigrant Support Centre were also in studio to discuss “A Taste of Africa”, which will take place in Clare County Council Foyer, New Road, Ennis from 12.30 – 14.30 on Wednesday 22nd May to mark Africa Day. This community event will share some aspects of the rich heritage of various African countries and will create an opportunity for both African and non African Clare residents to enjoy some time together on this special occasion. Africa Day this year marks 50 years of the African Union and African Independence, it provides an opportunity for all Africans – including those who have made Ireland their home and non Africans to celebrate Africa, its people and their potential at a time of great opportunity for the continent.
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