Pharmacists are warning of a shortage of key medicines

According to a survey by the Irish Pharmacy Union low stock levels pose a risk to the health of patients.

Among the drugs in short supply are anti-depressants, pain-relief medicines and eye ointments.

The IPU, the representative body for community ,warns that there has been a significant increase in shortages of medicines in the last 12 months.

It's now calling on the Department of Health to intervene to ensure there is an adequate supply of medicines to meet the needs of patients.

The survey of 200 pharmacists, conducted in the first two weeks of June, highlighted:

98% of pharmacists have noticed medicine shortages in the last 12 months;

91% of respondents reported that medicine shortages had increased in the last 12 months, with 93% anticipating an increase in the next 12 months;

On average, pharmacy staff spend 8 hours per month specifically in resolving medicine shortages;

44% of pharmacists believe that patients’ health outcomes have been adversely affected by medicine shortages.

 Commenting on the survey findings, President of the IPU, Rory O’ Donnell, says, “The survey results clearly highlight that there is a significant level of medicine shortages, with no sign of an improvement, at least in the short-term.  The longer the situation is allowed to continue, the greater the impact on patients’ health”.