Pharmacists warn of supply issues over antibiotics

Pharmacies throughout Donegal are experiencing a shortage in the supply of various medicines. They are at the coalface as patient demand for antibiotics to treat winter infection surges but the supplies of penicillin are not meeting demand.

It would appear that a number of key antibiotics that they would dispense on a daily basis such as Amoxicillin and Phenoxymethylpenicillin or more simply penicillin V are running short or deliveries are being delayed.

"It's very difficult for us as pharmacists in order to try and provide a good service for the public when we’re getting prescriptions and we can't fulfil the need," said pharmacist, Francis Bonner of Bonner's Pharmacy, Ballybofey.

He added issues with increased demand, supply logistic and manufacturing issues, global issues and difficulties between China and Taiwan all contributed to the problem as did the price.

"We have had a reference price for seven to eight years now which is aimed at bringing our prices in line with Europe but the direction in Ireland is only one way and that is down.

"It has now got to the stage that our market is not of much interest to suppliers. I read recently that the average price European health authorities pay for a dispensing pack of 100 paracetamol is €3.50 whereas here, the HSE pays €1.73 per pack. It would be naive of me to think this is not contributing to the ongoing shortage which we’ve had for months now.”

He added the delays are not good particularly with Strep A about.

"If a doctor decides you need an antibiotic it is important you get it as soon as you can. Patients will be inconvenienced and this is a very challenging time for people trying to source products that are not available. I know my colleagues and I are continually explaining to patients that we can't get what is on their prescriptions. We are all in the same boat and the situation I believe is even worse in Northern Ireland," he said.

His concerns were backed up by a spokesperson for the Irish Pharmacy Union this week.

"The medicines regulator, the HPRA, along with supply chain partners, pharmacists and prescribers take proactive measures to manage shortages under a framework and use procedures such as allocation to sure even distribution of products. The efforts are aimed at minimising the impact of these shortages on patients as well as on those involved in the medicine supply chain and those delivering patient care.

"Where a medicine is in short supply the pharmacist will support the patient in ensure they continue to get effective treatments."

The spokesperson added pharmacists are calling on the Government to legislate to allow pharmacists to substitute for alternative medicines when they are in short supply.

"The introduction of this legislation would increase the speed of supply to patients, reduce the stress on pharmacists and patients, and reduce the number of calls to our already under-pressure GPs colleagues and teams. Pharmacists are medicines experts and have the clinical skills to provide this seamless care to patients, and it makes absolute sense to introduce this protocol without delay."

When contacted about the concerns a spokesperson for the HSE said it was currently assessing the demand for and supply of antibiotics to ensure they have sufficient for the needs of our primary care and hospital teams.