Dublin: In Ireland, the shortage of essential medicines has reached a critical level, with nearly 300 commonly used drugs for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s, and ADHD unavailable. This crisis, unveiled at the Irish Pharmacy Union’s (IPU) annual conference, underscores the pressing challenges facing the country’s health sector.
Pharmacies nationwide have grappled with drug shortages for the past four months, significantly impacting patients and their families. Delays in treatment have been reported, and in some cases, children with ADHD are unable to attend school due to a lack of timely medication.
Compounding the issue, pharmacists are legally prohibited from substituting alternative drugs during shortages. Tom Murray, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, has urged the Minister for Health to swiftly implement a shortage protocol to address this constraint.
Murray highlighted the immense pressure pharmacists are under and the severe impact on patients. Waiting times for obtaining sufficient medication have stretched for hours, raising concerns that the situation may escalate into a major crisis within a year. A staggering 84% of conference participants shared this apprehension.
The IPU conference emphasised the urgent need for legislation to tackle the shortage and reiterated its call for the immediate appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO).
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly addressed the conference, announcing that the legislation would take effect in four weeks. He assured that an expert team was in place to advise pharmacists on suitable drug substitutions, aiming to alleviate the burden of the shortage on patients and healthcare providers alike.
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