Pharmacists seek drug licence review

UP to 800 medicines in regular use are not licensed by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB), a situation that is causing increasing problems for pharmacists.

The fact that up to 40% of medicines used in paediatric medicine are also unlicensed will be discussed this weekend at the AGM of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU), the representative body for more than 1,400 pharmacists in Ireland.

Reasons for not seeking a license or for allowing licenses to lapse include the relatively small size of the Irish market, the high cost of licensing drugs and the time required to complete the authorisation process.

In particular, pharmacists are encountering problems ensuring the availability of the medicines, even when prescribed on a “named patient only” basis by a GP or consultant.

Medical cardholders also find they are not covered for the cost of such medicines.

Pharmacist Paul Fahy said the high incidence of unlicensed medicines was now leading to a “two-tiered” medicines regime.

“The use of unlicensed medicines is now so commonplace that it is threatening to undermine the credibility of the medicines market,” he warned.

He said the IMB needed to review the costs and delays associated with getting and maintaining regulatory approval for individual medicines.

And, said Mr Fahy, the Department of Health needed to take a more imaginative and flexible attitude towards reimbursing the costs of medicines that are legitimately prescribed but which may not currently have a licence.

Pharmacists also warned that they would be stepping up their campaign to be granted the power to prescribe a limited range of medicines.

The IPU’s AGM endorsed a motion calling on the department to legislate to allow pharmacists to prescribe products - a move that would cut costs for many families and reduce pressure on GPs and A&E departments.

IPU president Dr Karl Hilton said British pharmacists in 50% of health board areas have the power to prescribe for minor ailments.

Irish pharmacists want to see prescribing powers introduced for treatments for minor skin infections and uncomplicated respiratory and urinary tract infections. They also want to dispense ‘pharmacy only’ products to medical card holders without prescription.

Pharmacists also warned that cancer patients are suffering because of a row between the department and a drug supplier over prices.

Pharmacist Liz Hoctor said the drug Valoid, used to treat acute nausea, was removed from the GMS scheme last December.