Serious antibiotic shortage looming

Pharmacies are just weeks away from a shortage of the country’s most commonly prescribed antibiotic.

Stocks of Augmentin, and its generic equivalents, will start to run out next month in the most frequently prescribed dosage, while stocks of a larger dosage tablet will only last to January.

The Department of Health has warned that the difficulties are set to last until autumn of next year and says it is making efforts to source alternative supplies.

But the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said shortages of drugs were becoming a growing problem and called on the department to convene a high-level group to come up with a strategy for ensuring consistent supply.

Darragh O’Loughlin, IPU general secretary, said there were several reasons for the Augmentin shortage. Because of national controls on importation and prices, all of the country’s Augmentin was supplied by two GlaxoSmithKline plants in Britain; one was unable to keep up with demand and another was having trouble sourcing ingredients.

“We also have three suppliers of the generic equivalent but it turns out they get the active ingredient, co-amoxiclav, from the same two plants in Britain that produce Augmentin. It’s a confluence of events.”

Augmentin and its generic substitute is used to treat a wide range of ailments, such as bronchitis, sinusitis and ear, dental, skin and kidney infections.

Mr O’Loughlin said the Department of Health, HSE, Irish Medicines, and IPU, should be brought together to review supply arrangements for all drugs.

He said the State should be prepared to stockpile drugs, have information on alternative suppliers and use import licence controls to enforce strict conditions of supply consistency.

Drug shortages are a growing problem for pharmacies. Recently they had trouble getting a commonly used anti-depressant and there have also been issues with diabetes and thyroid medication.