Concern rises as supply of certain meal replacement beverages dwindles at Ontario stores

Supply chain issues have resulted in several product shortages on store shelves throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but now certain meal replacement beverages appear to be the latest item to be affected.

“It seems like every week I go, they’re getting less and less even though they’re advertised on sale, and they don’t seem to be getting them in stock,” Jim McLeod, an Oakville resident, said.

McLeod contacted CityNews after the pharmacies close to him had mostly bare shelves. At a Rexall location a few minutes away from his Bronte neighbourhood apartment, a sign warned Ensure meal replacement beverages are temporarily out of stock.

“This has resulted in some items not being available for our flyer promotions and everyday business. Please be patient,” the sign said.

“We are working to be back in stock as soon as possible.”

Visit the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart, and its shelves weren’t fully stocked either.

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McLeod said he’s been using the products for the past three years at the recommendation of his gastroenterologist due to stomach issues, emphasizing it has become an essential part of his diet.

“For me, it’s a need to have because I get the one that has calories, extra calories, and that helps me keep my weight up, which when you get older is hard to do,” he said.

Regarding travelling, McLeod, a senior citizen, said he has mobility issues that make it hard to go beyond his neighbourhood to find the products he needs.

“I have a hard time getting around, so it’s not a problem for me to drive to a drug store, but I can’t be driving miles to a drug store,” he said.

“I don’t have a Costco membership. I can’t drive up to Walmart because they sell huge amounts, which I’d never be able to carry. So it’s important that my local drug store carries these products.”

Jen Belcher, a vice-president with the Ontario Pharmacists Association, told CityNews the forecast for certain products doesn’t look good. Depending on the specific product type, some might not be replenished until early winter.

“It is concerning, especially as we have individuals with particular needs and sensitivities,” she said.

Belcher said much of the health care sector had been battered for various supply chain reasons over the past few years. She pointed to children’s cold and flu medications as an example.

“Absolutely, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an inordinate amount of strain upon the supply chain whether it be through workforce interruptions, whether you have outbreaks of COVID-19 amongst those who work in manufacturing plants or warehouses, whether it be due to things like product recalls that will place strain on the existing supply within the supply chain, or just due to inordinately high demand,” she said.

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But when it comes to meal replacement supplements, Belcher said some of the supply might be redirected to patients who rely solely on the beverages for their nutrition.

“Ultimately, when it comes to everyone’s ability to access them, we will see prioritization to some of those higher-acuity settings, but we recognize that there is a need for supplementation in the community as well too in order to meet adequate nutritional needs throughout people’s day-to-day lives,” she said.

CityNews took McLeod’s concerns to Loblaw, the parent company of Shoppers Drug Mart, to ask about the shortages. A spokesperson confirmed the chain is seeing diminished supply.

“We are currently experiencing supply issues for one brand of meal replacement drinks due to challenges faced by the vendor supplier following the recall of one of their products and a temporary closure of their manufacturing facility,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.

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

CityNews also contacted Rexall, Abbott Laboratories, and Nestle, the manufacturers of Ensure and Boost, respectively, on Thursday afternoon. However, responses weren’t received by our Friday afternoon deadline.

Meanwhile, McLeod said he hopes the shipments of the supplements to his neighbourhood pharmacies stabilize soon.

“Very (worried)… I don’t know what I’m going to use to supplement a supplement,” he said.