Written answers
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Department of Health
Medicinal Products
Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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681. To ask the Minister for Health if she is aware of a shortage of Ipratropium Steri Neb (Ipramol), Salbutamol, and Atrovent; and if attempts have been made to address this, in light of the dangerous consequences for those reliant on this medication. [26993/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), hosts a list of current and resolved shortages on its , where the details, including, the information on notified shortages, is maintained.
As of 26th May 2025, the HPRA has not received any notification of a current shortage of products branded as ‘Atrovent’. The dedicated shortages webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information. In the event that patients or their carers are unable to source a medicine, they are advised to discuss possible alternatives with their doctor pending the resumption of normal supply.
The latest shortages information is set out below related to shortages notified to the HPRA.
Salbutamol (includes where the presentation is marketed as a combination product)
- Teva B.V., the company responsible for supplying Salamol Steri-Neb 2.5mg/2.5 ml Nebuliser Solution, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Salamol Steri-Neb 2.5mg/2.5 ml Nebuliser Solution due to an unexpected increase in demand impacting multiple markets. The company anticipates resupply on 31st of July 2025.
- Teva B.V., the company responsible for supplying Ipramol Steri-Neb 0.5 mg/2.5 mg per 2.5 ml nebuliser solution, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Ipramol Steri-Neb 0.5 mg/2.5 mg per 2.5 ml nebuliser solution due to an unexpected increase in demand impacting globally. The company anticipates resupply on 31st July 2025.
- Teva B.V., the company responsible for supplying Salamol Easi-Breathe CFC-Free Inhaler 100 micrograms Pressurised Inhalation (Suspension), has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Salamol Easi-Breathe CFC-Free Inhaler 100 micrograms Pressurised Inhalation (Suspension) due to a global manufacturing delay. The company anticipates resupply on 6th August 2025.
- Teva B.V., the company responsible for supplying Salamol CFC-Free Inhaler 100 micrograms Pressurised Inhalation (Suspension), has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Salamol CFC-Free Inhaler 100 micrograms Pressurised Inhalation (Suspension) due to a global manufacturing delay. The company anticipates resupply on 23rd May 2025 (update requested from the company by the HPRA).
- Teva B.V., the company responsible for supplying Ipratropium Steri-Neb 250 micrograms/ml Nebuliser solution, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of the 2ml (500mcg) presentation) due to a manufacturing delay impacting globally. The company anticipates resupply on 1st of January 2026.
- They have also notified the HPRA of a shortage of the 1ml (250mcg) presentation of the same product. The company anticipates resupply of that presentation on 31st of January 2026.
However, medicine shortages are, unfortunately, a feature of modern health systems worldwide and a global health problem. Issues surrounding security of medicines supply have been increasingly well characterised, both nationally and internationally, in recent years. The causes of such supply issues are multifaceted, ranging from supply chain issues, perennial shortages of raw materials, increases in demand and manufacturing delays.
Medicines shortages are managed through the Medicines Shortages Framework and immediate actions are taken by relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact on patients. Stakeholders in this framework include the HPRA, the Department, the HSE, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wholesalers, patient representative groups and marketing authorisation holders.
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