Canada Expecting Foreign Shipments of Children’s Tylenol Following Mass Shortage
Amid an ongoing shortage of infant and children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which are essential to reduce fever and pain, Health Canada has secured an increased supply for pharmacies and hospitals.
On Friday, Health Canada issued a statement stating that foreign supplies of children’s acetaminophen will be available at retail and community pharmacies in the coming weeks. Specifically, a million bottles of foreign-produced children’s pain and fever medication will be arriving on shelves this week.
“We’ve worked with manufacturers to allow access to foreign products to supplement Canada’s supply,” said Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser with Health Canada. Specifically, these foreign products will be coming from the United States and Australia.
Coastal Front conducted its own research and found that of 20 pharmacies located in downtown Vancouver, only two had children’s Tylenol in stock as of last week. Of those two, one had four boxes and the other had a single box in stock at the time. When asked about upcoming shipments, all 18 pharmacies were not able to provide an arrival date.
The reasoning behind the shortage is due to “unprecedented demand.” In fact, this shortage has existed since the summer as the supply of these products has not been able to keep pace. As respiratory illnesses have surged in recent weeks, the shortage has become much more problematic.
Officials said that manufacturers are undergoing record production levels, but the products are still supply-constrained.
Regarding the duration of the shortage, the Canadian Paediatric Society has expressed it is not known how long it will last.
“Early next week, we will be posting a table of products authorized for import,” Sharma stated. “We’ll continue to update this table as we authorize more product.”
Health Canada stated that its top priority is the health and safety of Canadians and to end this shortage.
Until supply is able to reach demand, Health Canada recommends that if you cannot find infant or children’s fever and pain medication, speak to a pharmacist or health care professional about alternatives.
(Top photo of children’s Tylenol via Shutterstock/ Colleen Michaels).
