As the world learns to deal with COVID there are heightened fears around even the most basic of cold symptoms, and that’s causing issues at the pharmacy.
Keith Bailey, owner of the CBS Shoppers Drug Mart, says they are seeing shortages of over-the-counter medications as a result.
He says the shortage mostly involves pain relievers, and cough and cold products. Tylenol and no-name versions of it are in the shortest supply, as well as things like Advil and its knock-off brands.
He explains that such a short supply may mean using alternatives to help medicate children. For example, he says that may involve using an older child’s medicine, but at a smaller dose, or switching to something completely different.
According to Bailey, this isn’t the first time they’ve had such issues.
At the beginning of the pandemic, they saw the same thing as parents were stockpiling supplies just in case. Now, with kids back in school amid COVID concerns, they’re seeing the same sort of thing.
From left to right: Sergeant Ron Simms of the RNC, Keith Bailey owner of the pharmacy inside the Shoppers Drug Mart in CBS, and Sergeant Geoff Green of the RCMP.
Meanwhile, pharmacies across the province are taking back unneeded or expired medications today with local public pill drops.
Shoppers Drug Marts on the Island and Guardian Hamilton Drugs in Labrador will be accepting the old items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Sergeant Ron Simms of the RNC says that drug issues in our communities aren’t just with street drugs and hard drugs.
He says people don’t realize the issues that can come from over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well. He says the pill drop helps bring awareness to the issue.
