Levittown-area residents seeking over-the-counter treatments for common cold, flu, and COVID-19 symptoms are having trouble getting what they need.
The shortages aren’t just local. There have been reports of shortages of adult and children’s cold medicine at stores nationwide. For many parents, not being able to find medicine for kids has been troubling.
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Experts have said the shortage comes amid a busy flu season filled with lots of cases of typical winter colds and other respiratory illnesses.
A recent visit to two Bucks County chain pharmacies showed over-the-counter medications were scarce and staff said customers quickly purchase new shipments.
“Bare shelves in some stores may seem reminiscent of this year’s baby formula shortage, but the situations aren’t quite the same. With formula, a major manufacturer recalled products and shut down one of its factories and conducted a nationwide recall after the government found quality problems at the production facility, taking it offline for months. The shutdown exacerbated existing supply chain problems, leaving shelves empty,” according to a CNN report.
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The article continues: “With children’s medications, drug manufacturers say they are running full-tilt, and they planned for some increase in sales over the winter months. But they didn’t know it would be this bad or start this early.”
Several articles and experts discussing the shortage of over-the-counter and some prescription drugs mentioned the issues vary depending on the medication. Shortages aren’t uncommon, but typically are more limited than present and receive less attention.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the agency is working with drug makers to “prevent or reduce the impact of shortages.”
Pediatrician Dr. Richard So, of the Cleveland Clinic, gave some tips to help parents who may have trouble finding cold-and-flu medicines for their kids. He said a fever doesn’t mean a child need medication if they’re in good spirits.
“Remember, a fever is not a disease,” the doctor said. “It’s one of the signs that tells us that something is going on with your child. If your child has a fever but is acting and playing normally, we don’t advise you to treat that fever.”
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So said kids who are ages 6 and up can take medications in pill form.
“Sometimes, parents are shocked to learn this,” So said. “The thinking is that liquid is for kids and pills are for adults. But 200 milligrams of medicine is 200 milligrams of medicine, no matter what form.”
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The Cleveland Clinic provides these tip for teaching kids to swallow a pill:
1. Start by teaching them to swallow something familiar, like a piece of macaroni and cheese or a piece of corn.
2. When they’ve mastered that, advance to a Tic Tac, then an M&M.
3. Once your child can confidently swallow an M&M or a Skittle, they’re probably ready for an ibuprofen or Tylenol tablet.
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For even younger kids, crushing medicine that is safe and in an appropriate dosage can be a help.
“For toddlers, you can try crushing chewable tablets to mix in ice cream, yogurt, applesauce or chocolate syrup,” So stated.
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The doctor said cold compresses, saline spray, and a humidifier can be medicine-free ways to help sick kids. He also advised kids get plenty of rest and fluids.
If a child who is sick isn’t getting better, So advised parents to seek medical care.
“If your kid has a fever, feels under the weather, is a little glassy-eyed and not acting right, then it’s time to bring them in so we can run some tests,” he said.
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