Reporting a medicine shortage 

Pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers must ensure an appropriate and continuous supply of the medicines they market in Ireland. Companies should notify shortages or potential shortages of medicines to the HPRA and the HSE. The company or other legal entity that has the authorisation to market a medicine in Ireland is known as the marketing authorisation holder (MAH).

Patients and healthcare professionals can also assist by reporting possible shortages not currently included on the HPRA shortages list.

All those in the medicines supply chain can play a role in preventing and effectively managing product shortages. This is a key goal of the multi-stakeholder medicine shortages framework.

How to report?

Dedicated forms are available for each stakeholder group to report medicines shortages affecting the Irish market. Please download and return the relevant form by email.

Marketing Authorisation Holders

Download the shortage notification form for marketing authorisation holders. Please return completed forms to shortages@hpra.ie. Completed forms should also be sent to the HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit at CPU@hse.ie.

Wholesale Distributors and Manufacturers

Download the shortage notification form for wholesale distributors and manufacturers. Please return completed forms to shortages@hpra.ie.

Patients and Healthcare Professionals

Download the shortage notification form for patients and healthcare professionals. Please return completed forms to shortages@hpra.ie. When completing this form, please include as much information as possible.

Veterinary Medicines

Please visit the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website for information on the Veterinary Medicine Shortages Protocol. The Department has published a number of notification forms for veterinary medicine shortages.