The number of medicines in short supply has reached a record high of 307, according to the latest Medicine Shortages Index.
The index is compiled by Azure Pharmaceuticals using publicly available data from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The latest index shows that 95 medicines have joined the list since January and it has grown by 81% in the past year.
There are severe shortages in low dose aspirin, cholesterol and blood pressure drugs and nebulising solution for patients with asthma and COPD.
Azure Pharmaceuticals chief executive Sandra Gannon said the company started reporting this problem when the number of shortages stood at approximately 165.
"Recent research illustrated the worsening impact of the issue with 60% of the public impacted by shortages in the past year alone," Ms Gannon said.
"Those countries who have adjusted their approach in response to this supply crisis are faring better than those who have not," she said.
"Regrettably, at a policy level, Ireland is yet to acknowledge the cause and effect of this problem. On that basis, things look set to get worse before they get better," the CEO cautioned.
RTÉ Brainstorm:
Why are over 300 medicines currently in short supply in Ireland?
