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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.