Medicines shortages continue to increase on previous record highs

The number of medicines currently out of stock in Ireland has risen again, latest figures show. 

Approximately 350 medicines are out of stock or in short supply in Ireland at the moment, according to latest figures from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), an increase on the 250 or so at the start of 2023. 

Medicines which are currently in short supply range from aspirin to Ozempic, a medicine prescribed for patients with diabetes. 

Many common medicines including Brolene eye drops and Calpol 6 Plus are some of the items currently experiencing shortages. 

"The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) publishes a list of medicines currently in short supply on its website link with the reason for the shortage and expected dates for the supply return. The information is available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they arise and reduce their impact on patients," a statement from the HPRA outlined.

"For example, the listing of a shortage is published on the webpage before its start date, in as much as possible, to assist healthcare professionals in managing patient treatment. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on updates received from pharmaceutical companies, including removal from the list when a shortage has been resolved. It is updated daily with a weekly email sent to subscribers of the HPRA website," the HPRA added.

A statement during the summer from HSE on medicines shortages noted that individual brands or strengths of a medication may be temporarily unavailable, but for the vast majority of medicines there are appropriate substitutions.

The Medicines Shortages Framework, operated by the HPRA on behalf of the Department of Health, aims to prevent, where possible, and mitigate the impact of medicines shortages through close collaboration with the department, the Health Service Executive (HSE), industry and healthcare professionals, according to the HSE.

The HSE says it takes continuity of supply into account when making decisions in relation to pricing, with the listed price of new medicines set at the average price paid by 14 European states.

Suppliers who find that it is uneconomic to continue supplying a medicine under current Framework Agreements can apply to the HSE for a price increase.