David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that global supply chains have had an impact on the availability of certain medications, which has resulted in medications not being available to the extent we would have wanted in some areas. There are things we can do. There are other reasons for it as well but there are things we can do. Other countries have serious shortages protocols where pharmacists can substitute alternative medications without the patient having to go back to a GP. Is that something that will be examined? The HPRA should also have a greater role in looking at supply, particularly as we track illnesses. If we know we are going to have a spike in respiratory illnesses or the flu, we should be looking at the corresponding medications. There is a greater role for the HPRA there.

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