Pharma companies ‘will work 24/7’ in lockdown

Pharmaceutical trade association, Medicines for Ireland (MFI), has moved quickly to say its members will be working round the clock to ensure the supply of medicines is not negatively affected by the new lockdown measures.

MFI’s membership includes many of the leading suppliers of medicines to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

In advance of the announcement last night from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, during which he said the country will move to Level 5 restrictions from midnight tomorrow (October 21), MFI Chair David Delaney said member companies would be “working 24/7 in partnership with Government departments and agencies to ensure the stable flow of medicines in Ireland”.

Under the new measures, only retail premises regarded as essential — such as supermarkets and pharmacies — will be allowed to remain open.

With the prospect of a six-week lockdown emerging last night following a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to Cabinet, Delaney added: “We thought it would be useful at Medicines for Ireland to give a message of reassurance to the public that these level changes will not negatively impact the supply of medicines across Ireland.”

Delaney also said he wanted to remind pharmacy users “to stay in very close contact with their community pharmacist at this time”.

“These professionals have been open throughout the pandemic, and will continue to be open, providing the best possible care to you,” he said.