Pharmacies limit sale of certain children's medications

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Due to increased demand, pharmacies are limiting the sale of children's fever and pain medications.

Walgreens said by statement, "Retailers nationwide are experiencing supplier fulfillment challenges due to increased demand of over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products. While Walgreens continues to have products to support our customers and patients, we have put into effect an online-only purchase limit of 6 per online transaction to prevent excess purchasing behavior."

Walgreens is referring customers to its website for updates with the latest available store inventory information frequently throughout the day. 

CVS said, "To ensure equitable access for all our customers, there is currently a two product limit on all children's pain relief products at all CVS Pharmacy locations and cvs.com. We're committed to meeting our customers' needs and are working with our suppliers to ensure continued access to these items."

WHY THIS MATTERS

In the winter of late 2020 into early 2021, there were almost no cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus reported around the world. Then, in the summer of 2021, doctors noticed an unprecedented spike in cases for the season, according to Johnson & Johnson. 

The increase in the number of sick children heading into this winter season has been attributed to two years of isolating and masking during the height of the pandemic.

"We think the sudden rise was due to people letting their guard down after taking precautions and social distancing for over a year," said pediatrician Dr. Jeff Stoddard, VP of Medical Affairs for Infectious Diseases and Vaccines at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. But the main reason could be the temporary waning of immunity due to months of isolation at home and lack of exposure to the virus, increasing the pool of susceptible people, he said.

"If you're not exposed to RSV for 18 months and suddenly come in contact with it, then you're more likely to get a symptomatic illness," he said in the J&J report.

The resulting increased demand for drugs to treat fever and pain has created shortages in some areas. There is reportedly no widespread national shortage.

Hospitals have reported a surge in cases of the flu and RSV, especially among children, combined with continued COVID-19 cases.

The White House last week announced a COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan to make vaccinations, testing and treatments even more widely available.

On Sunday, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CBS "Face the Nation" that shortages of children's cold medicine, as well as an ongoing shortage of antibiotic drugs, are the result of unanticipated levels of demand, not a problem with the supply chain, The Hill reported. Gottlieb said he anticipates the pharmaceutical industry's "sophisticated supply chain" should catch up soon.

THE LARGER TREND

Drug shortages are not new. 

In July 2018, the Food and Drug Administration announced the formation of a Drug Shortages Task Force.

More recently, earlier this month, the FDA said, "Drug Shortages can occur for many reasons, including manufacturing and quality problems, delays and discontinuations. Manufacturers provide FDA most drug shortage information, and the agency works closely with them to prevent or reduce the impact of shortages."

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org