Drug makers boosting production of kids’ painkillers amid shortage: pharmacist group

The editor-in-chief for the Canadian Pharmacists Association says the shortage of kids' Tylenol and Advil is related to areas where COVID-19 is peaking.

Drug makers are ramping up production across Canada to meet the apparent shortage of kids’ liquid Tylenol and Advil in different cities, according to Barry Power, the editor-in-chief of the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

Power says manufacturers are working at full speed, and the supply will level out at some point, especially as COVID-19 infections drop.

“Their facilities are working full speed ahead. So they are definitely producing. The issue is that the demand has gone up compared to normal,” he said. “The purchasing is going to level out at some point. And as the COVID infections drop, we’ll see things stabilize.”

Power says the shortage is related to areas where COVID-19 is peaking.

He says though the crunch is concentrated in urban centres in Ontario, there have been reports of community-specific shortages in other parts of Canada that are dealing with high disease activity.

“As people get sick they need things for fever and sore throat, so there are some centers that still have a decent supply and others that have (no Tylenol or Advil) on the shelves today,” said Power.

But he cautions against making panic purchases.

“We’re asking that people not go out and buy to stockpile because that just makes things worse. There is a constant supply coming into the pharmacies,” said Power.