News - Page 6

Shortages Continue to Impact

Each year PGEU conducts a survey among its membership to map the impact of medicine shortages across Europe from the community pharmacists’ perspective. The 2021 PGEU Medicine Shortages Survey Results cover the responses from 27 European countries, including Ireland.

Key Findings:

• The continued high incidence of medicine shortages in most European countries, although most countries reported for the first time in years that the situation did not get worse compared with the previous year.

• The confirmation of occurring shortages of medical devices in pharmacies in most European countries.

• Slight improvement in terms of the average time spent by pharmacists to deal with shortages.

• The daily and burdensome impact medicine shortages have on patients and pharmacy practice across Europe.

• The existing gap in needed information, tools and legal solutions available to community pharmacists in many European countries for providing solutions to patients in case of a shortage.

PGEU President Roberto Tobia commented “The 2021 results show that medicine shortages continue to significantly disrupt patients’ timely access to certain medicines as well as community pharmacy practice. Despite the confirmation of the high incidence of shortages across European countries, it is hopeful to observe that for the first time in years most countries did not note a further worsening of the situation, which is a first step in the right direction. In combination with the expanded legal powers that have been

granted to community pharmacists to manage shortages in a number of countries, this has resulted in a slightly reduced average time spent by pharmacists to deal with shortages across Europe.

“With the ongoing revision of the EU general pharmaceutical legislation, policy makers now have an historic opportunity to create an adequate framework for improved prevention, monitoring and management of shortages across the EU. In this regard, PGEU already welcomes the recent adoption of the EU Regulation on a reinforced role for the European Medicines Agency in crisis preparedness and management as well as the findings of the European Commission study on medicine shortages.”

Recognition of UK Prescriptions

Now that the UK has left the EU, prescriptions issued by UK-based doctors following a telephone or video consultation are no longer valid in Ireland.

There is specific legislation in place that provides for the continued recognition of hard copy (paper) prescriptions written by doctors, dentists and nurse prescribers based in the United Kingdom. However, now that the UK has left the EU, online prescriptions written by UK-based prescribers issued to people living in Ireland are no longer valid.

Therefore, if a teleconsultation is carried out by a UK based doctor for an Irish patient as part of a telemedicine service (even if accessed through an Irish website), neither a digital nor a physical prescription will be acceptable. On the other hand, paper-based prescriptions from the UK following a face-to-face consultation are valid (except for schedule 2, 3 and 4 part 1 controlled drugs).

The current Brexit deal covers trade, not professional services, a teleconsultation is regarded as a professional service.

Pharma Support Ukraine

Head of Policy & Market Access for Europe David Delaney recently attended an ‘incredibly moving and solutions focussed’ meeting, hosting Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko and Counsellor Olena Shaloput.

He commented, “As Medicines for Ireland and Medicines for Europe represent Europe’s largest maker and suppliers of Medicines – it was great hearing how our Pharma companies can best continue to get our medicines donations to people in extreme need in Ukraine, and how our thousands of Pharma

Head of Policy & Market Access for Europe David Delaney with Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko

colleagues fundraising for Ukraine can support humanitarian aid into Ukraine asap.

“We also worked on practical ways to help our incoming new Ukrainian neighbours to Ireland, like helping many hopefully find jobs in the strong Pharma sector accross Ireland.

“Thank you Larysa and Olena. Your energy and determination is incredible. Our hearts are with your families back home. We will all try to make Ireland, and Europe, a great home for our new incoming friends from Ukraine,” he added.

Medicines Shortages

The Health Products Regulatory Authority has been notified of a shortage of the following products:

• Calvepen 333mg Tablets - PA0126/137/001

• Claforan Powder for Solution for Injection 500mg - PA0540/037/002

• Claforan Powder for Solution for Injection 1g - PA0540/037/003

• Dalacin 2% Vaginal Cream - PA0822/119/002

• Fluorouracil 25mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion - PA0822/223/001

• Gyno-Pevaryl Once 150mg Vaginal Pessary - PA22650/006/001

• Januvia 25mg Film Coated Tablets - EU/1/07/383/002

• Lercanidipine Clonmel 20mg Tablets - PA0126/187/002

The following shortages have been resolved and supply has resumed to the Irish market:

• Axsain 0.075% w/w Cream - PA1986/088/001

• Beromun 1mg Powder for Solution for Infusion - EU/1/99/097/001

• Chlorpromazine Elixir BP 25mg/5ml Oral Solution - PA0281/124/001

• Clexane 8,000 IU (80mg)/0.8 mL Solution for Injection in Pre Filled Syringes - PA0540/097/007

• Dioralyte Blackcurrant Powder for Oral Solution (20 pack) - PA0540/098/001

• Dioralyte Rebalance Citrus Powder for Oral Solution (6 pack) - PA0540/194/002

• Dioralyte Rebalance Natural Powder for Oral Solution (6 pack) - PA0540/194/003

• Invokana 100mg Tablets - EU/1/13/884/002

• Invokana 300mg Tablets - EU/1/13/884/006

• Januvia 50mg Film Coated Tablets - EU/1/07/383/008

• Sodium Iodide (I131) Capsule T - PA0690/006/002

• Zyvox 2mg/ml Solution for Infusion - PA0822/143/002