Drug shortages are causing significant stress for patients and pharmacists across Mayo.
According to Westport-based Fine Gael candidate Keira Keogh:
She elaborated: “This is a recurring issue on the canvas. Shortages affect not only expensive medicines, but also everyday essentials such as aspirin.
“Pharmacists are reporting severe stock disruptions, with one pharmacist noting that a third of their usual stock is not available, and another saying more than 300 medicines are out of stock.
“Hospital pharmacists have similar concerns, especially as IV fluids and antibiotics are sometimes in dire shortages.
“The shortages are caused by increased global demand, supply chain disruptions and production delays, with low-margin medicines being particularly affected.
“A pharmacist told me a story about a woman who had recently been diagnosed with ADHD. She arranged for time off to have her blood pressure taken for a newly prescribed medication, Concerta XL, but the pharmacist told her that the prescription It’s been a frustrating situation for pharmacists, who have been worried and stressed out about their time for patients who can’t afford to take more time off when drugs become available. ”
Ireland’s small market makes it less attractive to suppliers, leaving critical medicines across oncology, diabetes and cardiology particularly vulnerable.
Brexit has further complicated the issue, with Ireland and Malta now the only English-speaking markets in the EU. Many pharmacists import their products from the UK, but sourcing them takes a huge amount of time and costs a lot of money.
Pharmacists feel there is a need to appoint a Chief Medical Officer to manage these challenges and provide appropriate support, just as there is a Chief Medical Officer.
Mr Keogh has brought the issue to the attention of Public Health and Social Care Colm Burke, who calls for the National Drug Strategy to raise the issue as a parliamentary issue.
If elected by Dale Alien, Mr Keogh promises to tackle these issues.
“Patients and pharmacists should focus on recovery and care, not drug procurement and worry,” she asserted.
