Medicine shortage worsens with 224 dugs now out of stock

The medicines shortage has deepened recently with 12 more drugs out of stock in the last week, it has emerged.

The drugs currently unavailable include a treatment for epilepsy.

The number of out-of-stock medicines has risen to 224. Warnings have also been expressed that Irish patients are losing out because of the lower prices paid by Ireland to drug makers compared to other countries.

Azure Pharmaceuticals, which compiles the Medicine Shortages Index, said manufacturers including companies producing medicines domestically are getting paid up to four times as much for their products abroad than in Ireland.

The updated index has found the number of medicines not available is 224, an increase of 12 medicines in seven days.

Among the additional medicines to go out of stock in the past week are phenytoin which is used to treat epilepsy.

Sandra Gannon, managing director of Azure Pharmaceuticals, which is involved in supplying some of the older off-patent medicines, said: “The Government appears to be at best misinformed and at worst in denial about the root cause of this worsening problem. Changing legislation to give extra powers to pharmacists should form a key part of a package of solutions, but that alone will not resolve matters. The price we pay, and a medicines pricing agreement that is no longer fit for purpose, is at the heart of this issue.”

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said that the pan-European shortage of critical medicines to treat patients suffering from respiratory infections is proof positive that EU countries must continue to work together in terms of the procurement, purchasing, storage and distribution of key medicines.

Kelleher was speaking ahead of a debate in the European Parliament this week on the issue.

“All EU member states, and not just Ireland, are suffering from shortages of common over the counter (OTC) medicines used to deal with the symptoms of respiratory infections.

“While this current situation originates from a unique coming together of three serious viral infections - influenza, Covid 19 and RSV, at the same time, it demonstrates to us the weaknesses EU countries have in terms of accessing medicines at critical times," he said.

Mr Kelleher said he believes that Member States, led by the Commission, need to agree to common procurement in terms of these and other important medicines. This is similar to how the Covid 19 pandemic was dealt with, he said, when it came to vaccines.

“We cannot allow a situation to arise where we see different national health systems competing with each other to buy the same limited stocks. We also need to ensure that there is a centralised database of who has what type of medicine, and who does not, to allow sharing of medicines between Member States if, and when, the need arises.

“At present, the EU Treaties do not allow for the EU to take the lead on most issues related to healthcare. I think it’s time to review this, as I do see the value in a European Health Union to ensure value for money, easier procurement and sharing of resources at times of need.

“We cannot have any more winters where basic OTC drugs are simply not available to citizens,” concluded Kelleher.