Parents frustrated as children's cold and flu medication shortages continue
There are bare shelves across Eastern Ontario pharmacies as children’s Tylenol and Advil shortages continue to be an issue, here and across Canada.
“What am I supposed to do if he gets sick? With COVID it just makes things a lot scarier,” says new mom Alysha, adding that not having quick access to medications for her 10-month-old son Grayson makes her nervous.
“I don’t want to sit there and watch my son be sick and not having anything I can do to combat his temperature rising,” she says.
There’s a shortage of children’s cold and flu medications in both liquid and chewable forms.
Store shelves have been left empty, and those that do have it are limiting the amount people can buy.
Zachary Spicer says more needs to be done.
“We have friends who are going to the United States to get children’s Advil and Tylenol so it’s a concern,” he says.
He has a three-year-old sick at home. After visiting more than two dozen pharmacies, he says he got a bottle by knowing someone who had made the trip to the U.S.
“It should be a five-minute trip to the pharmacy,” he says. “These kids are at a stage where they get colds. They get sick. There’s COVID out there still.”
The Ontario Pharmacists Association says the shortage is driven by higher-than normal demand due to COVID-19 and cold and flu season. People are stocking up.
Pharmacist Cathy Walker says if your child wakes up sick in the middle of the night and you don’t have medication, keep them comfortable or take them to the emergency room if their fever is too high.
Walker warns to never substitute with an adult tablet without first talking to a doctor or pharmacist.
“The dose is so much different than an adult dose,” she explains. “The proper dose requires somebody who’s going to be absolutely sure the dose isn’t too high for the age and weight of the child.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.