Pain, fever medicines for children scarce on pharmacy shelves
Laura Clark often uses over-the-counter liquid Tylenol for her young kids when they have a fever.
“With my three children, we rely on it,” she says. “Actually, right now, I’m home with our middle child who picked up a bug from her younger brother, so we've used it as recently as this morning.”
But the next time Clark goes to buy it, it may be harder to find, because shelves in some Maritime pharmacies are out of stock or nearly out of many liquid pain and fever formulations for children and infants.
“What we are seeing is an increase in demand for produces that treat pain and fever for children,” says Barry Power, a pharmacist and editor-in-chief at the Canadian Pharmacists Association in Ottawa.
Power says the recent demand is due to spikes in COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses among youth.
“We're seeing spikes in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in children as well,” says Power. “So we're starting to see a bit of a perfect storm where there are a lot of things circulating that children are getting.”
But while Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto recently sent a letter to outpatient caregivers advising they may need to get a prescription for these medications because of the short supply, the Association says that’s not necessary.
“Talk to your pharmacist, absolutely,” says Halifax pharmacist Greg Richard. Richard says a pharmacist can help caregivers find other options for parents in need of pain and fever medication, and can give the best advice on the proper dosage of certain products for a particular child.
“Even though you may not be able to find Tylenol brand, there may be other brands on the shelves you’re just not familiar with,” he says. “Depending on the dose, a chewable may be an option. It just depends on the situation.”
The IWK Health Centre says its inpatient and emergency supplies of liquid acetaminophen and ibuprofen products is adequate.
Dr. Melanie MacInnis, the IWK’s clinical pharmacy specialist for pediatric emergency medicine, also says sometimes a child’s fever doesn’t require medication.
“Just because the thermometer may say that your child has a fever, if they are otherwise well, and behaving and playing like they normally would, there’s no need to treat.”
The Canadian Association of Pharmacists says manufacturers are still producing the drugs, so supply issues may be sporadic depending on location.
It’s also reminding consumers not to stockpile to make sure there's enough medications on the shelves for those who need it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.