60 percent of people have been affected by the shortage of medicine over the past 12 months.
The number of medicines out of stock has reached a record high of 289.
Aspirin, antibiotics, medicine for depression and blood pressure medication are among those in short supply.
Sandra Gannon, CEO of Azure Pharmaceuticals, says three out of five patients are experiencing shortages.
“These findings, coupled with a new record high in the number of shortages, reflects the worsening nature of this issue since it first emerged at the start of 2020,” she said.
“Policymakers have yet to fully grasp its cause and effect.
“Month-by-month, we have seen the numbers grow; 60% of the public have been impacted and after a notably bad period of weeks, a new record high has been reached.
“Yet despite the trend over a prolonged period, the policy response continues to be defensive or non-existent.”
Ms Gannon said other European countries had responded to the crisis by improving their data reporting, finding new suppliers and increasing prices.
