Pharmacists have admitted that Calpol is 'virtually non-existent' in some locations across the UK, with drugs stores also struggling to stock up on a number of common cold and flu medicines.
'High levels' of coronavirus and the flu have caused a surge in demand for the popular medicines, with the UK suffering low supplies as a result.
Now, officials have urged people to keep their kids away from school should they suffer a high fever, and have warned poorly adults to wear face masks to prevent the spread of further infection.
The Mirror reports that a Department of Health spokesperson said: “We’re aware that there’s been increased demand for Calpol, leading to temporary local supply issues in some areas. Many other children’s paracetamol products are available over the counter, as are other formulations such as tablets and capsules.
“We have well established procedures in place, and we are working closely with all suppliers of children’s paracetamol to ensure access for those who need it.”
Mike Hewitson, a pharmacist from Somerset who is struggling to stock Calpol, told The Sun that he had 'never seen the situation this bad'. Meanwhile, Durham Pharmacist Sri Kanaparthy told the paper that the shortages were causing a dilemma for parents with sick children.
He said: "We always try and short out an alternative for the patient, but in some cases it's not possible and we have to refer the patient back to the GP. This is a dilemma for those patients who cannot get a timely GP appointment."
Calpol shortages come as pharmaceutical chiefs issue a warning over the availability of common cold and flu medicines in pharmacies across the UK — with throat lozenges, cough mixtures and some painkillers also reported to be in short supply. The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP) said that pharmacists are struggling to get hold of even the 'very basic' and 'most common' types of cold and flu medicine amid soaring cases of colds and flu this winter.
AIMP chief executive Leyla Hannbeck explained: “The demand has been high because this season we’ve seen higher cases of colds and flu and people are obviously trying very hard to look after themselves and making sure that they use the relevant products to manage the symptoms.
"And that has led to a shortage of these products in terms of us not being able to obtain them".
It's not the first time that UK pharmacies have experienced shortages recently, with supply issues also affecting the availability of HRT and antibiotics last year. The AIMP has blamed a 'lack of planning' by Government officials for the most recent shortages and has accused them of 'being in denial' over problems with the supply chain.
Leyla said: "We are constantly finding ourselves in a situation when as soon as the demand for something goes up we are struggling with the supply. Unfortunately part of that is a lack of planning by officials (at the Department of Health and Social Care) in terms of foreseeing the problems and trying to plan in advance to sort it.
"For example, with cold and flu, we knew some months ago cases were going up and it was anticipated that there would be higher demand for these products. So you would have thought that plans would have been in place in terms of managing this with regards to liaising with manufacturers and getting the products in."
She added: "On the front line it is very difficult because we're seeing these shortages but those people who are in charge of supporting us with it are denying it."
Health minister Will Quince met with Ms Hannbeck on Wednesday to discuss issues in community pharmacy, including concerns about supply of cold and flu medicines. The Department of Health and Social Care is understood to have received industry feedback that any issues are sporadic and localised.
A department spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports of issues with the availability of some branded cold and flu medicines. These appear to be temporary and localised, but we are engaging with suppliers to investigate and help ensure that over-the-counter cold and flu medicines remain available."
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