Shortage of antibiotics, children’s medications continue, Ontario pharmacists say
Ontario pharmacists say they are still experiencing a shortage of both over-the-counter cold medications as well as some oral antibiotics for children.
The Ontario Pharmacists Association says that while the situation “is better,” there is still a significantly high demand for medications due to this year’s respiratory virus season.
Health Canada says it has imported nearly 1.9 million bottles of medication to help ease the months-long shortage, but pharmacists say the global shipments aren’t enough.
“We're still seeing a situation where demand is quite high and the supply is not robust enough yet to declare ourselves out of a shortage situation,” said Jen Belcher, vice president of strategic initiatives and member relations.
“Those products have been in variable levels of shortage throughout 2022.”
The medication was distributed to hospitals and other retailers throughout the month of November amid a rise of COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
Canada is expecting another supply by either the end of the year or early next year, Belcher said. However, she also warns other countries worldwide are now starting to see initial reports of shortages.
While the empty shelves at pharmacies can be shocking to consumers, Belcher says a back order of children’s antibiotics is become a growing concern.
“I had a situation this morning where a child need Amoxicillin and there is just none left,” pharmacist Kyro Maseh, from Lawlor Pharmasave, told CTV News Toronto. “It's been back order over a month now.”
“This has a rippling effect on other antibiotics.”
Belcher added that some pharmacists have started to adjust adult capsules or tablets of the antibiotics to match children’s dosages.
Health Canada has not said how many more doses of medication is expected in its next shipment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.