For months, children’s versions of brand-name Tylenol and Advil, along with their generic equivalents containing the same drugs acetaminophen and ibuprofen, respectively, have been hard to find. “We’ve never seen anything like this on this scale,” said Shawn Liu, a pharmacist at Access Pharmacy. Health Canada says the national shortage of children’s medicine is due to an “unprecedented demand” that began this summer, with manufacturers ramping up production. The federal agency also recently approved the “exceptional” import of ibuprofen from the US and is working to secure acetaminophen from Australia. Another common antibiotic prescribed by pharmacists to help sick young children, amoxicillin, is in short supply as the country faces an increase in respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“THE SHELVES ARE SITTING EMPTY”
Liu said the unusual surge had caught many suppliers off guard, with many still struggling to meet reduced demand. “Our shelves have been empty for at least the last two months,” Liu said. “We checked our warehouse every day with no luck.” “It’s really hard to say when they will be available again,” he added. “At least until the respiratory virus surge starts to decline, which could be late spring or early summer.” It has forced his pharmacy and others to adapt as so many concerned parents seek alternative options for safe antipyretics for young children.
“WE WANT TO HELP”
Many now rely on compounded medicines, preparations prepared by special pharmacies when a prescription is obtained from a doctor or other authorized prescription. “It’s almost exactly the same as what you’d find over the counter with children’s Advil and Tylenol,” explained Michelle Tang, prescribing pharmacist at PharmaSave Southgate. “We flavor it, especially for kids.” “We are working with our pharmacy to get this product,” Tang said. “We want to help parents manage (their children’s) symptoms immediately and quickly.” A local company is helping connect pharmacists and parents seeking compounded medications during supply shortages. Morenike Olaosebikan, a pharmacist with over a decade of experience, founded Kemnet and adapted the growing platform to help Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. To order using the online tool, a person must either have a prescription or enter their contact information to be contacted by a qualified prescriber to confirm that compounded medications are appropriate for their condition and symptoms. “We made it very easy,” Olaosebikan told CTV News Edmonton. “You just go ahead and make a request to your nearest pharmacist, or if you can’t find one that’s close to you, whatever makes sense to you.” She says the service has seen a steady stream of requests as parents try to help their children cope. “It’s more than usual,” Olaosebikan said. “I am truly grateful to serve in this way and to see other well-intentioned pharmacists supporting families in our communities.”
‘JUST ASK’
Another option for parents is to simply talk to their pharmacist, who can help prepare some adult versions of cold medications in toddler- or child-friendly doses. While some parents may find dosage information online, Liu cautions them against trying to make their own without checking with an expert. While some products labeled as cold and sinus medicines for adults can be crushed or adapted for children, she says not all are safe or recommended for toddlers. “I encourage all parents to talk to a pharmacist first before making your own Tylenol or Advil (for your kids),” Liu said. “We want to help the families,” echoed Tang. “We want to keep kids and babies from going to the hospital. With everything that’s going on, we just want to be there for them.” “Just ask,” he added. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Heidi Petracek and CTV News.ca
