Pharmacists in Ontario are concerned about a shortage of cold and flu medications, which has resulted in a limited supply for shoppers.
Jen Belcher, vice-president of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, told CTV News London that there has been an increase in consumer demand since last fall due to COVID-19.
“The easing of personal and public health precautions has led to an increase in some of those viruses that were contained during those measures,” she said.
Shortages have been exacerbated by allergy season, the ongoing presence of COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions.
“This has led to challenges in supplying the product, but we’ve also seen much higher demand due to the symptoms of COVID-19,” she added.
While there is usually less spread of cold and flu viruses during the summer months, pharmacists in London, Ontario. are seeing fewer cold and flu medications for children.
“We are doing our best to find alternatives so we don’t leave people empty-handed,” said Omnia Masood, who owns a pharmacy on Wonderland Road. “There is more demand because COVID has moved from a lower respiratory tract infection to an upper respiratory tract infection. The symptoms are very similar to a cold.
Massoud said her pharmacy takes orders daily and is placed on back-order lists for several medications.
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