The number of medicines out of stock in Ireland has reached a record high.
The latest Medicines Shortages Index shows that the number of medicines unavailable across the state jumped by almost 50 in the past four weeks to 289.
Among the medicines out-of-stock include low dose packs of Aspirin 75mg, which is dispensed around 4 million times per year in Ireland.
Other medicines out of stock include medicines to treat blood pressure, high cholesterol, common antibiotics, medicines for depression, anxiety and insomnia together with a number of eye drops and topical creams.
Medicine shortages have increased by 50% in just six months and 65% in 12 months.
Separately, a survey of 1,200 people on their experiences of medicine shortages, conducted by Amárach Research and commissioned by Azure Pharmaceuticals, reveals for the first time the impact medicine shortages are having on the public.
It found that three out of five patients have experienced medicine shortages, with over half being told on more than one occasion by a pharmacist in the last 12 months that the medicine they were seeking was not in stock.
56% of Irish adults said they were aware of the medicine shortages crisis that Ireland has faced over the past year, with 48% of the population reporting a high level of concern about the scarcity of various medicines.
Out of the patients who encountered supply issues at a pharmacy, 44% had difficulties obtaining prescription medicine, 24% faced issues with over-the-counter medicine, and 31% encountered shortages for both types of medications.
The findings show that females aged between 35 and 44 are most worried by the lack of availability of medicines.
"These findings, coupled with a new record high in the number of shortages, reflects the worsening nature of this issue since it first emerged at the start of 2020," said Sandra Gannon, CEO of Azure Pharmaceuticals.
"Policymakers have yet to fully grasp its cause and effect. Month-by-month, we have seen the numbers grow.
"60% of the public have been impacted and after a notably bad period of weeks, a new record high has been reached. Yet despite the trend over a prolonged period, the policy response continues to be defensive or non-existent," she added.
