Pharmacies are struggling to meet demand.
The current spike in Covid, flu and RSV cases has not only had an impact on Ireland’s hospitals but has also left pharmacies without essential stock.
Parents are struggling to find the medicine to ease their children’s symptoms because of the spike in cases.
Many of us rely on Calpol to ease symptoms and lower fevers, but parents are struggling to find the medicine.
Pharmacies have been struggling with the demand amid one of the country’s worst flu seasons.
They are now finding it hard to restock common medicines like cough bottles and paracetamol.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, pharmacist Kathy Maher said;
“Because of the sharp increase in respiratory illness that we saw in the weeks up to Christmas, we know this will continue for the next four to six weeks.”
She explained, “We are seeing so many over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and the majority of cough bottles – particularly for dry coughs – we can’t get.”
Maher also revealed that certain antibiotics have also been hard to get.
She said, “particular antibiotics or steroids to reduce inflammation of the chest are really hard to get at the minute.”
Pharmacists have urged Irish parents to vaccinate their children against the flu.
The public has been told to wear masks if they’re unwell. You should also practice good hand hygiene.
Have you been affected by the current pharmacy shortages in Ireland?
