In a letter sent to caregivers, the hospital said some pharmacies across the country are experiencing supply shortages of liquid Tylenol and Advil. “If your child needs the liquid form of acetaminophen, you will now need a prescription,” the letter states. “It cannot currently be sold over the counter because it has to be repackaged from large bottles to smaller bottles by the pharmacist.” In a statement to CTV News Toronto, a SickKids spokesperson said pharmacies such as Shoppers Drug Mart, in addition to SickKids’ inpatient pharmacy, are affected by the nationwide shortage. The hospital says children who stay overnight at SickKids will be able to get the drug, but those who visit the hospital and then go home will need to get a prescription from their health care provider. “While some retail pharmacies may have an adequate supply of these over-the-counter drugs, other pharmacies may only stock them in large quantities that must be dispensed by a pharmacist. For this reason, the drug may require a prescription,” said Sarah Warr, senior communications advisor for SickKids. “The health and safety of our patients is our top priority and we continue to monitor this situation closely,” Warr said. “We are working with our suppliers and clinical partners to develop and implement strategies to help preserve our remaining supply.” Jen Belcher, vice-president of strategic initiatives and member relations for the Ontario Pharmacists Association, says this recommendation doesn’t mean customers can’t buy liquid Advil and Tylenol over the counter. “The prescription makes it easier in the sense that it provides instructions for dispensing that product. But ultimately, liquid Tylenol has not changed from an over-the-counter drug to a prescription-only product,” he told CP24. Belcher explained that the shortage affects smaller bottles typically sold over the counter, which is why they are recommending parents get prescriptions in some cases so pharmacists can use larger bottles to fill those requests. SickKids also recommends that parents consider other forms of medication, including chewable tablets. “Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider first to make sure you are giving your child the correct dose,” the letter adds. The shortage comes a month after the Ontario Pharmacists Association warned that increased demand and supply chain constraints are fueling shortages of cold and flu drugs. “If you go to pharmacies across Ontario and other provinces, you’re likely to see a number of different gaps on our shelf,” Belcher told CTV’s “Your Morning” in July. “(The drug) could be back by the fall when we get back into normal cold and flu season, but it’s really hard to predict right now and I wouldn’t be able to say for sure, unfortunately.” At the time, Belcher said some painkillers for children were on back order. CTV News Toronto reached out to the Ministry of Health as well as Shoppers Drug Mart for more information on how the shortage is affecting Ontarians. It is unclear how many pharmacies are affected.
