Irish pharmacists have urged people not to stockpile medications as the industry grapples with severe shortages.
The limited supply of many medicines, including cough syrups, paracetamol and aspirin, has sparked concern amongst community pharmacies. The Medicines Shortage Index, prepared by Azure Pharmaceuticals, has found that there are 212 medicines currently unavailable.
The shortage unfolds amid a surge in respiratory illnesses nationwide. The HSE is dealing with a spike in hospitalisations brought on by the "triple threat" of diseases such as Covid, seasonal flu and RSV, while many people experiencing milder illness choosing to treat their symptoms from home.
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Antibiotics used to treat bacterial and respiratory infections, including Amoxicillin, Penicillin and Cefalexin, are also in scarce supply, alongside sprays for sore throats.
Kathy Maher, owner of Haven Pharmacy in Duleek, agreed that stockpiling was not an effective solution to the current problem. She called on the Irish government to address the severe shortage through effective protocols.
She told the Irish Mirror: "What we are calling on is for the Minister for Health to introduce a serious shortage protocol that allows pharmacists to use their clinical skills to switch from one medicine to another when a product isn't available."
She added: “It means patients will have treatment promptly. If a patient with a significant infection can't access the antibiotic that they need and ends up in A&E, that could be prevented.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Health Product Regulatory Association said that the demand for medications used to treat seasonal illness has doubled. The HPRA is engaging with stakeholders, such as medical suppliers, to find a solution to the current shortage.
Roisin Shortall, the Social Democrats’ health spokesperson criticised the government's response to the escalating problem. She told the Irish Mirror that it has been “known for months” that there would be an “upsurge” in respiratory illness and slammed the situation as "dire."
A spokesperson for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said that all options are currently being explored in order to tackle severe shortages.
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