The country’s medicines shortage is getting worse as the health system continues to struggle to cope with a wave of winter infection, according to a new analysis.
The number of products unavailable to Irish doctors and pharmacies to treat patients has jumped by more than 15 per cent over the past month.
As of this weekend, 216 products are listed on the medicines shortage list maintained by the Irish medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA).
That compares with 187 products on the list just ahead of Christmas. Both over-the-counter and prescription drugs are affected.
Midwest News has been speaking to some pharmacists in Castlebar about the demands now on them, as the HSE are encouraging people to stay away from hospital emergency departments, if possible, and to contact GPs – but demand on surgeries is also surging, and so patients are advised to visit their pharmacist for symptom relief.
We’ll hear from Ellie McHale the pharmacist at the newly opened Staunton’s pharmacy on Bridge St Castlebar on Evening Edition but this lunchtime Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley has been speaking to pharmacist Ronan Moran, of Moran’s pharmacy on New Antrim St in Castlebar about the demands on pharmacies this winter….
