The most common item stolen from pharmacies is not what we expected

A shocking 3 in 4 pharmacies experience theft.

A new report from Irish Pharmacy Union has found that there is an issue with crime in stores across Ireland. Among pharmacies nationwide, three in four (77%) reported experiencing some form of crime, including shoplifting, robbery and raids.

“Almost one in four cases against pharmacies are ‘violent’ in nature, involving not only a physical threat but also a substantial psychological threat to victims. It is difficult enough to run a pharmacy in the current environment without being the target for criminal activity that not only has a significant cost factor but more importantly has a detrimental impact on pharmacy staff.''

''It is unacceptable that pharmacy owners and their staff are viewed as ‘soft targets’ where the probability of repeat offences is high and the risk of apprehension and penalty is low.” IPU President Daragh Connolly said.

In one in five cases cash was taken, and over 10% of cases saw over-the-counter drugs being taken, however the most common items shoplifted in Irish pharmacies is actually fake tan and make-up. The vast majority of Pharmacy workers surveyed are calling for more visible policing as well as faster Garda response and tougher sentencing as effective methods of reducing crime.