Brits have been warned to expect a shortage over cough and cold medicines at pharmacies and stores amid rising illnesses.
Pharmacy bosses warned that throat lozenges, cough mixtures, and some painkillers have been affected by supply chain issues. The association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies stated that both brand and unbranded medicines used to treat seasonal illnesses will be in short supply.
Officials are urging parents to keep their children off school if they have a fever while adults are being told to wear face masks in order to prevent the spread of illness. The UK Health Security Agency warned that winter illnesses such as flu and Covid-19 are circulating across the country at "high levels".
Read more: Pharmacy bosses issue warning over shortage of cough and cold medicines
Despite fears that pharmacies and supermarkets will run dry of cough and cold medicines, the industry has said that it is working to minimise the supply chain impact for customers. Adrian Simpson, Products Policy Adviser at the British Retail Consortium, said: "Cold and flu season has been worse this year, which has led to a surge in demand for over-the-counter medicines.
"Retailers are working with suppliers to ensure minimal impact on customers.”
Members of the association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies have pointed to "lack of planning" from the government to blam for the shortage. Chief executive Leyla Hannbeck told PA New agency: "Pharmacists are struggling to obtain the very basic, most common cold and flu medicine.
"This isn’t just the branded medicines, it is also simple things like throat lozenges, cough mixtures or pain killers – particularly the ones that are soluble. 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.”
The Manchester Evening News reached out to Morrisons who declined to comment, but it is understood they are receiving regular supplies of cold and flu medications while working closely with suppliers. The Manchester Evening News has also approached Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl for comment.
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