A pain for parents: some children's medicine in short supply after spring COVID run
Canadian parents seeking to soothe a young child’s headache or lower a fever might have trouble finding their usual brand-name bottle of liquid ibuprofen or acetaminophen on pharmacy shelves.
In short supply are Liquid Advil, Motrin, Tylenol and Tempra products for children, said Alexandre Chadi, a pharmacist at a Jean-Coutu pharmacy in Montreal's Parc-Extension.
"It’s causing a lot of anxiety for our parents with young kids," Chadi said.
"What is happening right now is there is a partial back-order on some products, especially liquid formulations for children," said Benoit Bolduc, the President of the Quebec Order of Pharmacists.
Bolduc attributes the shortage to an increase in the number of children who suffered more symptoms from COVID-19 during recent waves of the illness this past spring.
That meant that families snapped up more liquid formulations of the pain relievers and fever reducers than they usually do at that time of year.
"Usually they're used in September and October at the beginning of school, up to March, April," Bolduc explained -- the normal season when kids are congregating indoors and spreading around the germ du jour.
He suggested that given the vagaries of the pandemic and how it has altered the usual virus seasons, the big manufacturers had no way to "adequately" plan their stock.
"But this is going to get back in order sometime this summer," Bolduc said, adding that the situation is the same across Canada.
SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE
Families can be reassured, however, to know that there are alternative products they can use should their child get sick or injured, Bolduc said.
If a pharmacy happens to be out of a preferred brand-name liquid medicine, in-house brands of ibuprofen and acetaminophen are still in stock and are appropriate substitutes, he said.
Or, after consulting with a pharmacist, parents may decide the child is old enough, if they are six to eight years old, for example, to try taking a solid form of the medicine, meaning a pill or gel capsule.
"In a worst-case scenario," pharmacists can also compound medicines, which means they follow a prescription and mix the vital ingredients into a liquid suspension -- something they are accustomed to doing for "a lot of kids for a lot of drugs," he said.
Bolduc said it’s always wise to speak to a pharmacist if you plan to give a child medicine they've never taken before, and he also advised parents not to buy products online.
--With files from CTV's Bogdan Lytvynenko
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.