A shortage of children’s Tylenol has received quite a lot of attention over the last week, but one local pharmacist says there are numerous types of medications that are in short supply at the moment.

The issue around children’s Tylenol was exacerbated by information from SickKids Hospital in Toronto, when they recommended parents get prescriptions for such medications. However, several people at the local level have come out to clarify that was just a recommendation and that a prescription is not a requirement at the moment.

Dr. Kara O’Keefe, pharmacist in charge at Family Drug Mart, says the shortage reaches “far beyond” just medications for children. She says there are shortages in almost every drug classification, and it’s something they have been dealing with throughout the pandemic.

She says pharmacists have been dealing with drug shortages for years and it is not a novel concept, but the supply chain issues have been made worse by the pandemic.

As for when the end could be in sight for the shortage of children’s medications, O’Keefe says it is hard to tell.

She says right now it’s looking like the shortage will extend into the fall, but they can never really know for certain which is why it is important for people not to stockpile medications.