Supply issues still plague kids’ pain medicine, antibiotics. Why parents continue to struggle

Parents on the hunt for children's pain medicine or antibiotics in Canada may still be out of luck depending on what pharmacy they head to, according to experts.

Parents on the hunt for children’s pain medicine or antibiotics in Canada may still be out of luck as supply shortages continue to put a strain on some pharmacies, according to experts.

Although the supply of children’s pediatric medication has stabilized since 2022, these drugs can still be hard to find, explained Danielle Paes, chief pharmacist officer at the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

“When it comes to the shortage of specifically children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen, it appears the worse is behind us,” she said.

“However, we are still having supply challenges. So I would say to parents and caregivers if you go to the pharmacy and the medication isn’t on the shelf, talk to the pharmacist as it’s possible that maybe they’ll have it behind the counter … or talk about alternatives you can buy.”

She said parents still may have to shop around as it is still a hit or miss if pharmacy shelves are stocked with the needed pain reliever or antibiotic.

“If you don’t find it in one pharmacy, just check in another pharmacy, as we are finding there is a variation of who has it in stock,” she said. “You may still have to hunt for it but generally speaking it has improved considerably since the past fall.”

Starting last summer, infant and children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen products were flying off the shelves at retail outlets, pharmacies and hospitals across Canada.

At the time, Health Canada said the shortage was due to unprecedented demand, as pediatricians noted an unusually early rise in viral illnesses over the spring and summer months in 2022.