Over 200 medicines are now unavailable to Irish patients, analysis by industry experts has concluded. 

The list includes 11 medicines which are deemed critical by the World Health Organisation - such as treatment for chest infections, strep-throat, pneumonia and blood pressure.

In addition, the research by A-zure Pharmaceuticals found that penicillin-based antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections are currently “unavailable from any supplier or source” in Ireland.

Prescription medicine.

The analysis, based on data from the HP-RA, also showed a major shortage of over-the-counter cough syrups for both adults and children, sprays for sore throats, dissolvable paracetamol powder and aspirin.

In total, 212 medicines are currently unavailable in the country - up from 25 last month; 40% of the out of stock medicines had just one supplier.

You can find the full list of medications that are currently in short supply in Ireland here.

Main image: A woman outside a pharmacy. Picture by: Anna Berkut / Alamy