Quebec suffers from a shortage of commonly used pain relievers, so pharmacies are rationed on the amount they can order of these nonprescription drugs to treat fever and pain.
Posted at 6:00 am
Vincent Larin The Press
“Supply issues with paracetamol and ibuprofen (known by the trade names Tylenol and Advil, respectively) in liquid formats are currently being observed at several community pharmacy and healthcare facility suppliers,” confirmed the Department of Health, Health and Social Services (MSSS). Thursday.
According to the MSSS, this problem particularly affects these two types of analgesics in liquid form, ie the form used to treat children and people with swallowing difficulties.
But the shortage would also affect any adult products aimed at treating cold or flu symptoms, Hugues Mousseau, director general of the Quebec Association of Pharmacy Distributors (AQDP), told La Presse.
A strong demand
According to figures from AQDP, demand for these drugs this summer across the province would have been 150% to 200% higher than usual at this time of year, a situation largely attributed to the seventh wave of COVID-19, the MSSS points out point to that too.
“The significant and more sudden demand in recent months, due to the recent waves of COVID-19, seems to have put pressure on suppliers, which is reflected in problems with the continuity of supply,” specifies the MSSS spokeswoman, Marjorie Larouche.
Hugues Mousseau confirms that in view of this strong demand, the producers could not have increased their production sufficiently. Note that this is not a situation unique to Quebec. It is observed throughout Canada.
“That made us [les grossistes], we had to draw on our reserves, explains Hugues Mousseau. This led to the current shortage situation. “However, if these products continue to be supplied continuously, they will be in insufficient quantity,” he adds.
Rationed pharmacies
“Filters” have therefore been put in place that allow all pharmacies in the province to order a certain amount of medicine every day, says Hugues Mousseau.
“It seems important to remind the population to buy these products on the basis of a real immediate health need and to avoid unnecessary purchases so as not to aggravate availability problems,” specifies the MSSS.
One of the solutions being considered is to store general-use painkillers behind pharmacists’ counters to limit access, as was done earlier this summer during the formula milk shortage, says Hugues Mousseau.
At the moment we are mainly trying to work with the manufacturers. All scenarios are currently being explored to see how we can successfully meet the strong demand and replenish stocks in pharmacies and wholesalers.
Hugues Mousseau, General Manager of the Quebec Association of Pharmacy Distributors
Hugues Boisseau calculates that this shortage could last “several weeks”, i.e. beyond the start of the school year.
The Quebec Association of Proprietary Pharmacists says customers are asked to contact their pharmacist if the pain reliever they are looking for is not available on the shelves among the rarer pediatric medicines.
” [Le pharmacien] can make dose adjustments. If a product is available for [enfants de] 24 months and one child older, adjustments are possible,” said spokeswoman Marilie Beaulieu-Gravel.
Hospitals are running out of painkillers
Two Ontario children’s hospitals said earlier this week they are struggling with shortages of commonly used pain relievers.
Management at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa said they are taking steps to maintain supplies of liquid Tylenol and Advil to hospital patients and to find solutions to child discharges.
A Toronto Hospital spokeswoman clarified that while some retailers stock these nonprescription drugs, other pharmacies may only stock large bottles that can only be dispensed by a pharmacist.
At the moment, the main children’s hospitals in Montreal do not appear to be affected by this shortage.
Montreal Children’s Hospital says it currently has enough acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Plans are in place should such a situation arise, said a spokeswoman for the facility, Christine Bouthillier.
The CHU Sainte-Justine also states that it “has no difficulty in obtaining commonly used analgesics.” “Although the hospital has a sufficient quantity of these solutions for patients, the situation is closely monitored,” it said.
With the Canadian Press