Lack in drug supplies in the region is severely affecting the lives of many innocents as the patients have to wait for their drugs for over two weeks. In context to same, many pharmacists have also yesterday warned of the affects of this shortage of medicines further as many cancer patients have been waiting for their vital chemotherapy tablets since more than two weeks but the situation has not cited any improvements.

The lack of medicine supplies has even affected other patients, who are suffering from conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

In the situation, Darragh O' Loughlin, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) while speaking at the Union’s Annual Meeting in Kilkenny, highlighted the worsening of the condition in recent weeks, which according to him might be because of the fall in the price of medicines that could have provoked the drug manufacturers to distribute medicines to countries with higher prices.

He further addressed in his statement the need of Health Service Executive (HSE) to get tougher with the manufacturers and ensure that they work according to the public service agreement to maintain continuity of drug supply in the region.

"There has always been a problem with supply but it has worsened recently. I have cases where I have no particular medicine for a condition and have to send the patient back to the doctor for some remedial care”, he said.