SickKids recommends parents, caregivers of patients get prescription for children's pain and fever medications

SickKids Hospital said Tuesday that a recent lettersent to parents and caregivers about possible complications getting some children's over-the-counter fever and pain medicine was not meant to suggest thatprescriptions would be required for allliquidacetaminophen and ibuprofen.

The Toronto hospital says Monday's letter was not meant for the general public but was a reminder toparents and caregivers of its patients to get a prescriptionfor those drugs sold under the brand names Tylenol and Advil from their SickKids doctor "to help ensure access."

Though normally available over the counter, because of what the hospital called a nationwide shortage, some drug stores might only have those drugs in "large quantitiesthat must be dispensed by a pharmacist" for at-home use, the hospital said. Having a prescription makes it easier for pharmacists to dispense the drugs.

• What do you think about the drug shortage? Do you have a question, experience or story tip to share? Send an email to ask@cbc.ca.

SickKids assured parents if a child is staying overnight at the hospitalthey will receive the medication they require for pain or fever.

Likewise, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario says it has taken steps to ensure pain medication is available for patients during their stay.

Pharmacies across Canada are dealing with a shortageof children'sacetaminophen and ibuprofen products, and of somecold and flu medications, and are uncertainwhen they might be back in stock. Manufacturers say the shortages are the result of higher-than-normal demand and supply chain issues.

Prescriptions not mandatory

In a statement to CBC News on Wednesday afternoon, Health Canada reiterated that those products do not require a prescription for purchase.

A spokesperson said the agency was working withmanufacturers,the Canadian Pharmacists Association, and provinces and territoriesto mitigate shortages, adding that those measures"may include regulatory measures," without providing further detail.

Health Canada urged the public not to stockpile the medications.

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones on Wednesday told CBC News that the province was monitoring the situation "to make sure that there aren't shortages that are going to impact in a wider way across Ontario."

TheOntario PharmacistsAssociation (OPA) says, in general, getting a prescription for children's liquid pain and fever medicationsis a good idea, though not mandatory.

OPA vice-president Jen Belchersays a prescription helpsthe pharmacistensurethe right dosage is dispensed to the individual child, based on their age and weight.

WATCH | Prescriptions make a difference:

Parents should talk to family doctors about liquid painkillers for kids amid shortage, Ontario pharmacists say

2 years ago

Duration 1:49

Ontario Pharmacists Association vice-president Jen Belcher says prescriptions aren't mandatory but make it easier to dispense correct dosage.

"Ultimately, it's probably worth a conversation with your primary care provider, as well as with your pharmacist, to see what their individual pharmacy situation is," Belcher said.

"Having a prescription gives more clear instructions ...to the pharmacy on how much to give and what's appropriate for that patient."

Advil manufacturer GSK Canada said in a statement it is "working tirelessly" to meet demandwhileTylenol manufacturer Johnson & Johnson told CBC News it was "taking all possible measures to ensure product availability." Neither company gave details on when more stock would be available in Canada.

Alternatives for kids

SickKids says parents could consider purchasing other forms of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for their child. Those options include:

• Chewable tablets.
• Acetaminophen suppositories (there is no ibuprofen equivalent).
• Cutting or crushing regular tablets.

The hospital is recommending parents discuss proper dosing with a pharmacist or health-care provider if using one of these methods.

Kyro Maseh, owner of Toronto's Pharmasave Lawlor, says his pharmacy has beenexperiencing a shortage of liquid Tylenol for several months.

Maseh says while his pharmacy still has liquid Advil, the lack of Tylenol has made it more difficult forclients.

"It's definitely very frustrating for a lot of parents. From our end we try to mitigate it as much as possible," he told CBC Radio'sMetro Morningon Tuesday.

"It's already hard enough getting a medication for a child I know that first hand. For you to not even find that medication, it becomes even more difficult."

LISTEN | Parents frustrated by shortages: