Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. He will be aware that many of the recent medicine shortages were caused by an exceptional increase in demand for certain products to treat winter illnesses; in some cases this demand was two to three times greater than the same period in previous years. This demand was seen right across Europe and around the world. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the level of demand for products to treat winter illnesses has levelled off and the problems with the supply for most of these products have eased to some degree. To combat the recent supply issues a number of initiatives were undertaken via the medicines shortages framework, including extensive engagement with manufacturers to increase supply to Ireland, the provision of updated clinical guidance for prescribers, the creation of a web page with up-to-date information on shortages and, critically, alternative products being made available. My Department continues to work closely with the Health Products Regulatory Authority to ensure that the medicines shortages framework is fully utilised. This is there to ensure that everything possible is done to mitigate the impact of medicines shortages when they do occur.

It is important to highlight that in the case of medicines used most often in Ireland there are typically multiple alternatives available from various sources that remain available to ensure continuity of treatment. For example, while one strength of ezetimibe only containing medicines is currently in short supply, 49 other products authorised by the HPRA can be generically interchanged, and often without the need for prescriber involvement. Another example would be if there was a shortage of supply of the nasal spray used to treat hay fever. In this case there are multiple other non-prescription treatments for hay fever available.

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