Current:Home > MarketsCVS and Walgreens limit sales of children's meds as the 'tripledemic' drives demand-LoTradeCoin
CVS and Walgreens limit sales of children's meds as the 'tripledemic' drives demand
View Date:2024-12-23 20:18:21
The nation's two largest pharmacy chains are limiting purchases of children's pain relief medicine amid a so-called "tripledemic" of respiratory infections this winter.
Both CVS and Walgreens announced Monday that demand had strained in-store availability across the country of children's formulations of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, both of which aim to reduce pain and fevers.
CVS will limit purchases to two children's pain relief products in CVS stores and online. Walgreens will implement a six-item limit on online purchases (sales at its physical locations are not limited).
"Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, over-the-counter pediatric fever reducing products are seeing constraint across the country. In an effort to help support availability and avoid excess purchases, we put into effect an online only purchase limit of six per online transaction for all over-the-counter pediatric fever reducers," Walgreens said in a statement.
As for CVS, a spokesperson said, "We can confirm that to ensure equitable access for all our customers, there is currently a two (2) product limit on all children's pain relief products. We're committed to meeting our customers' needs and are working with our suppliers to ensure continued access to these items."
The medicines have been in short supply because of a surge in respiratory infections
Children's pain relievers and fever reducers have been in short supply for weeks as respiratory infections — especially influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV — have made a comeback as more Americans develop immune protections to COVID-19.
Up to 33 million Americans have already had the flu this season, the CDC estimates, and more than 10,000 cases of RSV were being diagnosed each week through early December (though diagnoses have slowed in recent weeks). Children are more vulnerable than most adults to both the flu and RSV.
Earlier this month, Johnson & Johnson, the company that produces Children's Motrin and Children's Tylenol, said there was no "overall shortage" of the medicine in the U.S. – the empty shelves, rather, were due to "high consumer demand."
On its informational page about treating a child's fever, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents "not to panic" if they are unable to find fever-reducing medicine.
"These medicines are not curative. They don't alter the duration of the illness or anything like that. They are essentially purely for comfort," Dr. Sean O'Leary, chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the AAP, told NPR earlier this month. "Fevers from common respiratory viruses in and of themselves are not harmful."
Parents of very young infants should seek medical attention if their children have a fever.
veryGood! (225)
Related
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Michael Keaton Reveals Why He’s Dropping His Stage Name for His Real Name
- Jennifer Lopez Fires Back at Haters Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- Garth Brooks claims he's a victim of a 'shakedown,' names himself and rape accuser
- Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's Son Moses Martin Reveals His Singing Talents at Concert
- Horoscopes Today, October 9, 2024
- Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heritage will be showcased at 50th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles
- Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, suffers stroke
- West Virginia expands education savings account program for military families
- Patrick says Texas Legislature will review Deloitte’s contracts after public loan project scandal
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg Shares Very Relatable Reason She's Remained on The View
- Acting or hosting, Travis Kelce wants to continue to pursue a showbiz career. But first, football
- 11 Cozy Fleece Jackets up to 60% off We Recommend Stocking up ASAP This October Prime Day 2024
- Time to evacuate is running out as Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida
- 32-year-old Maryland woman dies after golf cart accident
- Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heritage will be showcased at 50th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles
- Patrick says Texas Legislature will review Deloitte’s contracts after public loan project scandal
- Got a notice of change from your Medicare plan? Here are 3 things to pay attention to
Recommendation
-
Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
-
Everything you need to know about charging your EV on the road
-
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is likely out for season after successful knee surgery
-
11 Cozy Fleece Jackets up to 60% off We Recommend Stocking up ASAP This October Prime Day 2024
-
Georgia lawmaker proposes new gun safety policies after school shooting
-
Largest water utility company in the US says it was targeted by a cyberattack
-
Small plane crashes on Catalina Island, 5 people dead
-
Dancing With the Stars’ Brooks Nader Details “Special” First Tattoo With Gleb Savchenko