Antibiotic shortage a  worrying development says Crowe

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD has called on Health Minister James Reilly to intervene immediately to ensure there is no interruption to the supply of the broad spectrum antibiotic, Augmentin, to the Irish market. Crowe said that the shortage was a worrying development as the antibiotic was probably the most familiar and widely used by Irish consumers.

Deputy Seán Crowe said;

“The Department of Health has confirmed that an impending shortage of two strengths of Augmentin is anticipated in the months ahead, with a shortage of the 375mg tablet anticipated from November 2013 and the 625mg tablet from January 2014.The demand for this antibiotic is at its highest during the winter months and many health professionals have already expressed concern. Patients will be similarly concerned as the antibiotic is probably the most familiar brand to Irish consumers.

“This development is really  quite extraordinary in the context of Minister Reilly’s comments on excessive drug prices in this state. We have been told, time and again, that one of the primary reasons citizens here pay the highest prices in Europe for medicines is to ensure security of supply. This fig leaf of an excuse clearly doesn’t apply in this case.

“Health Minister James Reilly needs to intervene immediately to ensure continuing and adequate supply and to put patients and health professionals at their ease on this important health matter.”