Northern Ireland pharmacists are warning that a range of medicines could run out “within weeks”.
The community pharmacists say that shortages and “skyrocketing prices” of many drugs used to treat conditions including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, coronary issues and depression could mean they are no longer able to supply them.
The sector says it is already seeing wholesale prices “rise exponentially for many products, with shortages now common across many medicines”. Pharmacists say they have seen the price of some products rise fiftyfold, but add that the Department of Health is failing to keep up with rising costs when they compensate those dispensing the drugs.
