MORE than 400 highly essential prescribed drugs are now in short supply for patients, pharmacists have warned.
To help tackle the problem in Limerick, local pharmacists have come together to use a digital system which will locate hard to find and out of stock medications for their patients.
They have also bought into a new service from the Just Eat fast-food delivery company to have medicines delivered to patients’ doors.
According to LUDA Partners digital network, the company which owns the online platform, “drug shortage is a pressing issue that not only affects Ireland in general, and Limerick in particular, but also extends globally. This shortage has forced pharmacists to seek alternative and disruptive solutions to ensure that patients continue receiving the necessary treatments.”
“In addition to this problem, pharmacies face significant economic pressures. Reduced profit margins, rising operational costs and competition from large chains and online platforms have threatened the sustainability of many local businesses”.
Currently, over 400 drugs are missing from the Irish pharmacies according to the last medicines shortage report updated by the Irish Pharmacists Union.
A number of Limerick pharmacies have now decided to join LUDA Partners’ digital network to manage inventories more efficiently and source medications in pharmacies near to them.
The pharmacies have come on board with Just Eat, according to LUDA, which recently expanded its delivery offering from fast food to pharmacy products.
Customers can now place online orders and receive them at home, reducing travel needs and providing quicker access to essential products.
