The Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health pharmacy, which distributes diabetic supplies and insulin, has been forced to close - because of a shortage of chemists.

TB, Cancer spokesperson Pauline Girling said yesterday the pharmacist who had been there for years retired recently and a replacement could not be found, despite advertisements.

She said the closure would be temporary as discussions were under way with the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association to find a replacement and she was positive one would be found.

"We even changed the advertisement from part-time pharmacist to full-time," she said.

Ms Girling said a "special" pharmacist was needed who would be willing to spend time educating some diabetic patients about their condition. Meanwhile, the Minister of Health and Family Affairs, Patrice Minors, said her Department was aware of the situation and had already engaged in discussions with other pharmacies.

"Each person who receives supplies and services from TB, Cancer and Health has been notified that they can receive their insulin and diabetic supplies from Hamilton Pharmacy at a reduced cost," she said.

"I'm made to understand that we're exploring this service being made available at other pharmacies and this will go a long way to affording those people suffering from diabetes the opportunity to get supplies from areas in which they reside."

However, Ms Girling voiced her concern that even though these diabetic supplies would be offered to their former patients at a reduced cost, they would still cost more than TB, Cancer and Health used to charge.

The Diabetes Centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital can also be contacted for diabetic supplies, but could not be reached yesterday to confirm if their supplies were sold at a reduced rate, or cost.

The shortage of pharmacists in Bermuda is not just limited to TB, Cancer and Health.

According to the president of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association, Tracy Marra, pharmacies across the Island are experiencing problems, even at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

She said Whites & Sons only had two pharmacists who were juggling their hours in an effort to stay ahead, and had been for some time.

Mrs. Marra said the shortage of pharmacists was not isolated to Bermuda. It was a world-wide problem, with Canada, the US and UK experiencing shortages of qualified staff.

She said just about every pharmacy on the Island was or would be advertising for additional or new staff in the near future, but the situation seemed bleak.

Mrs. Marra said her association had visited schools and were trying to encourage students to consider a future in pharmaceuticals and hoped to be represented at the Bermuda College Career Fair later this year.

"We have to do something to try and encourage the youth to pursue this career path," she said.