Department of Health moves to reassure public concerned about medicine 'shortages'

THE Department of Health has moved to reassure members of the public who may be concerned by medicines shortages, that there are numerous alternatives available to ensure continuity of care.

While individual brands or strengths of a medication may be temporarily unavailable, the Department says for the vast majority of medicines there are appropriate substitutions such as different strengths, brands or similar classes of medicines.

"With respect to the various commonly-used medications listed in today’s press coverage that have been notified to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), where a patient has any disruption to their routine branded supply, continuity of treatment can be assured through the use of alternative products," said a spokesperson.

The Department of Health was reacting to figures, released this Monday morning, which show shortages (of medicines) increased by 50% over a six-month period with 289 products impacted.

In the past four weeks alone, the index jumped by almost 50 additional products.

Around 44% of patients experienced issues getting their prescriptions filled at pharmacies due to the shortages, the research found.

Among the products currently affected are low-dose Aspirin, eye drops, topical creams, common antibiotics and medicines to treat blood pressure and high cholesterol.

"The high percentage of individuals reporting difficulties in obtaining both prescription and over-the-counter medicines is deeply troubling," chief executive of Azure Pharmaceuticals, Sandra Gannon said.

In a statement, the Department of Health said: "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."

The HSE 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.

The Department says 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. Currently 36 medicines are the subject of a price increase application, less than 0.01% of all reimbursed items.