Donegal people with asthma and COPD are being asked to refrain from stockpiling their medications during coronavirus pandemic.
Some 12,408 people in Donegal have asthma and 17,511 people are living with COPD.
Despite concerns that some pharmacies are running out of medications, people with respiratory conditions are being assured there is no national shortage of asthma and COPD medication in the country.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said: “The Asthma Society has been liaising closely with the IPU, the HSE, the Department of Health and with various pharmaceutical companies who have reassured us that there is a good stock of asthma and COPD medications in Ireland.
“There is no need to order extra medicines than you need for the coming month. This will affect the supply of medicines for others.
“There is no disruption to the supply of medicines – our Irish supply chains are well-stocked, established and reliable.”
Ms O’Connor continued: “Over the past two weeks, we’ve had people with asthma and/or COPD reaching out to us expressing their concerns that some pharmacies are running out of medications for asthma and COPD. But there is no need to be concerned about this.
“Re-stocking of pharmacies with these medications was delayed over the weekend due to people with respiratory illnesses panic-buying medications to last several months in recent weeks. We have been reassured that this minor delay was temporary and has been resolved with deliveries to pharmacies in recent days.”
The HSE’s National Clinical Respiratory Programme and the Asthma Society are advising all people with asthma and COPD to visit asthma.ie for questions in relations to coronavirus and their condition.
