There is a national shortage of children’s fever and pain medications such as children’s Tylenol, but the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is urging parents not to panic.
Earlier this week information from SickKids hospital in Toronto got out, encouraging parents to get prescriptions for such medications to ensure access.
President Janice Audeau explains the information from SickKids was a recommendation and it is not required that parents have a prescription.
Audeau says there are ways around the shortage and encourages parents to talk to their pharmacist if access is an issue.
Firstly, she says parents should consider whether or not their child actually needs such medication and assess their condition. Different dosages could be an option, such as an adult tablet that they could swallow. However, she stresses the importance of speaking to a pharmacist if taking that route to ensure the dosage is correct.
Audeau says suppositories could be an option, as well as larger stockpiles of liquid Tylenol that pharmacists may have.
There is one important message she wants to get out to parents. If you are worried please go to a pharmacy team, and don’t panic buy Tylenol because it will take product away from those who need it.