A Dublin city centre pharmacist has warned against stockpiling amid a surge in demand for medicines like Calpol.
Tomas Conefrey, from Conefrey's CarePlus Pharmacy on Pearse Street, says that issues with prescriptions have been building since last year, but now over-the-counter products are also being impacted. He says that items such as Calpol and Nurofen in particular are in high demand as winter illnesses grip the nation.
The pharmacist was down to his last three bottles of one antibiotic yesterday, which were all sold. He explains that several antibiotics, used to treat chest and bacterial infections, are currently not available on site.
READ MORE: Ireland's pharmacies warn against stockpiling amid severe medicine shortage
Tomas told Dublin Live: "We've noticed these things are going short following initial reports. There's an element of people deciding to get the stuff as a response but if they jump the gun, it’ll put pressure on the whole system."
He adds that while some pharmacies will likely feel the pressure of mounting demand, others will be less affected by the strain. This is dependent on stock levels in individual pharmacies- some businesses may prefer to stockpile, while others like to keep supply ticking over.
He also supports the idea of a Serious Shortage Protocol, which the Irish Pharmacy Union are leading calls for. The measure, which was introduced in the UK last year, would allow pharmacies to dispense alternative medications without the need to consult a GP.
Tomas says: "It can be a hassle trying to contact a GP for a prescription change. If we don't have a certain antibiotic, we should be able to introduce an alternative instead- that would help get us over this slump in the short term."
The IPU's President Dermot Twomey previously told RTE that further shortages are expected to hit Ireland. Supply issues predominantly affect antibiotics, but it is likely the issue will spill over and hit other medications.
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