Pharmacists ask parents not to stockpile as shortage of kids pain meds continues

Pharmacists are asking parents not to stockpile the limited supply of children’s pain and fever medications that recently arrived on store shelves in Canada.

The federal government imported one million units of children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen — commonly known as Tylenol and Advil — as emergency relief amid a shortage coupled with soaring rates of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

Jen Belcher of the Ontario Pharmacists Association says it wouldn’t take long for that supply to run out given the high demand at stores across Canada.

She says many pharmacies and retailers are keeping the medication behind the counter or imposing quantity limits to try to ensure enough for all children who need it.

Belcher is asking parents not to stockpile by going store to store.

The federal government says more imported pain medication is on its way to Canada and is expected to arrive in the coming days.