The Asthma Society of Ireland has urged people who suffer with the condition and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) not to stockpile medicines during the coronavirus crisis.
In a statement the group said it wanted to assure people that there was no national shortage of asthma and COPD medication and is advising people to continue taking their preventative medication as prescribed.
Currently there are 380,000 people who have asthma and 500,000 people with COPD in Ireland.
The group has also warned people with asthma and COPD to only trust reputable sources for advice on their condition.
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.
Ms O'Connor said there was "no need to order extra medicines" than needed for the coming month.
She added: "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.
"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."
"Although it is very important to ensure you have enough medication to comply with instructions given by your doctor, at this current critical time, we are calling on our people with respiratory illnesses to please ensure they only purchase enough medication for one month. 'Panic buying' in this manner is resulting in others with respiratory illnesses unable to access essential medication.
"During this uncertain time, please be considerate of others.”
Des Murphy, Clinical Lead of the National Clinical Respiratory Programme also warned of false information circulating on social media regarding the virus.
Mr Murphy said: "Over the past two weeks there has been false information making its way around social media advising people with asthma and COPD to avoid taking preventative steroids for their condition.
"It is extremely important at this time that people with asthma and/or COPD continue to take their preventative medication as advised by your healthcare professional unless he/she advises them not to do so.
"Failing to do so could result in an unnecessary asthma attack, which for some, prove fatal."
