Cold, flu medication shortages impacting Ontario pharmacies in middle of summer wave

If you or a family member have been sick recently, you may have noticed empty shelves in your local store and pharmacy as cough syrup, in particular, is becoming difficult to come by.

A summer-sick wave paired with supply chain issues is making it harder for Ontarians to manage cold symptoms — such as a lingering cough — for residents and their young children.

This spring, a cough syrup shortage popped up, but it appears several respiratory viruses have returned.

On Wednesday, some local pharmacies were observed, large and small, across the GTA. Some did have stock, while others did not.

It’s an issue that doesn’t appear to be restricted to any one store or chain.

Jen Belcher of the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) says the supply chain problem is being felt on a large scale.

“We are seeing a shortage of these medications through the supply chain, which is resulting in pharmacies not being able to re-order medications as people purchase them,” Belcher said, noting that there have been a series of manufacturing issues of cold and flu medication.

“Everything from the availability of raw ingredients to the manufacturing of the final product and warehousing.”

If you or your family have been sick recently, you may have noticed empty shelves in your local store. Photo: Yelp.

Belcher says that, plus an increase in demand, is taking its toll. Adding to the market inadequacies could also be people buying a ton of products with the fear of being seen or viewed as sick.

“For a lot of people, it may be, yes, if I am out and about, I don’t want to be seen as coughing or sneezing,” Belcher said. “There could be some stigma attached with that.”

Dr. Dina Kulik, the founder of Kidcrew Medical in Toronto, says she hasn’t seen this level of demand for pharmaceutical products, including cough syrup and cold and flu meds, in some time.

“It’s unprecedented, the amount of sick kids we’ve seen this July. It rivals a typical January or February in terms of viral illness,” Dr. Kulik said.

“There is a lot of COVID illness going around but also other viruses, as well. Like hand, foot and mouth disease, and some stomach bugs. It might just be a matter of kids playing together again, mostly unmasked, being in close quarters.”

Dr. Kulik acknowledged earlier this month that she had noticed a recent surge in hand, foot and mouth disease affecting young children.

“I’ve spoken to colleagues across Canada and the U.S. as well, and they’ve never seen so much of this illness, ever,” she said.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is generally mild but is a contagious illness typically caused by the coxsackievirus.

Dr. Kulik says if you’re having trouble finding cold and flu medications for your kids, she doesn’t often prescribe those, anyway.

“We do typically recommend acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever or pain, but cough and cold medicines are not something that we suggest for young children,” Dr. Kulik said, calling it the busiest summer she has seen as a pediatrician.

“We recommend saline drops or saline spray, using a suction to remove some of the mucus in the nose, or using humidifiers.”

A spokesperson for Loblaws acknowledged a shortage in these medicinal products.

“We are actively working with our vendor partners to manage the flow of goods and ensure shelves are stocked as the product becomes available.”

As for when to expect more selection, Belcher says other pharmacies are a good bet. Or, she suggests talking to someone behind the counter at one of these local establishments.

“They do provide good information about other medications.”