Supply challenges affecting children's pain and fever medications
Canada has been experiencing supply issues affecting pediatric formulations of both acetaminophen and ibuprofen products. The current lack of availability of these products is being driven by significantly increased demand due to a surge in respiratory illnesses across the country.
As of November 29, over 1.1 million bottles of children’s pain and fever medications have been imported into Canada to help meet the soaring demand. This is helping to supplement the production of Canadian supply, which is at a record high, with some companies producing about 100% more than they were at the same time in 2021.
CPhA has been involved in regular discussions with Health Canada and other key stakeholders to help address the situation and represent pharmacy professionals. We've compiled a number of resources on this page to help support pharmacy teams as they manage this shortage across Canada.
Recomendation for pharmacy professionals: We encourage pharmacies to consider placing temporary limits on purchases of these products (e.g., one product per purchase/customer) where appropriate, to help ensure availability for all who require these medications.
Information and resources
- Information for families and caregivers on children’s fever and pain medication: This patient tip sheet was developed in collaboration with health-care providers to offer guidance on when and how to use these products, and when you should speak with a health-care professional for advice.
- Q&A for pharmacy professionals: What you need to know about the short supply of kids’ pain medications
- How to use 325 mg acetaminophen tablets to create children’s doses for ages 2–11: This resource is intended to be used by health-care professionals with parents and caregivers to assist with the administration of acetaminophen during the shortage of children’s products.
- Imported product information
- Compounding without a prescription: Given the significant impact the shortage is having on Canada’s health system, Health Canada has clarified that it does not object to allowing compounding of these products without a prescription but within a patient-healthcare professional relationship, until this shortage resolves.
- Infant and children's acetaminophen and ibuprofen shortage (Health Canada)
- Clarification: Requirement for prescriptions for Tylenol and Advil for children: CPhA issued a statement in August clarifying that a prescription is not needed to purchase these products, and we’re encouraging the public to purchase only what they need to ensure supply is available for all who need it.
Last updated: December 1, 2022