This year was another busy period for the HPRA as it focused on delivering its planned programme of work across each of the health product areas it regulates. As with most years, the HPRA was also faced with managing a wide variety of emerging issues spanning the full spectrum of its regulatory remit. Some of these were familiar developments in the regulatory world, such as adaptations to the way we work due to changes in legislation. Others arose in response to continued advancements and innovation across the sectors we regulate. The year started with a global surge in demand for antibiotics, which brought new challenges in the area of medicines shortages, not only in terms of their numbers, but also the impact on our health system.
Over the course of 2023, medicines regulatory authorities across the globe reported higher instances of medicines shortages than had been experienced in previous years. This is believed to be the result of a complex combination of multiple contributory factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medicines supply chain resilience, geopolitical events, rising costs, and increasing frequency of major weather events.
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