It has been claimed that a number of essential medicines, widely prescribed in Ireland, are not currently available here because pharmaceutical companies won't supply them.
The Irish Pharmaceutical Union is calling on the Department of Health and Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, or IPHA, to seek urgent talks to resolve the situation.
The medicines include Thyroxine, used for treating thyroid gland problems, Trimethopim, an antibiotic for treating urinary tract infections, and low-dose aspirin, widely used, particularly by elderly people, to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Janet Dillon of the IPU claimed today: "These companies may believe they can achieve higher returns selling the drugs elsewhere."