A shortage of children's pharmaceuticals is leaving pharmacists searching for answers. Some note it could be a lack of bottles that come from another country, or another aspect of packaging, while they don't consider it an ingredient issue -- it simply supplies and demand.

Hill's Drug Store pharmacist and owner Rhonda Kitchen weighs in.

"It does seem to be an issue that a lot of the products that we would use to help our children or parents would be looking for, do seem to be on short supply," notes Kitchen. "We're constantly trying to look for what's available and get to what we can, but right now we are needing to adapt, prioritize and help people get through this time." 

Rhonda KitchenRhonda Kitchen

She explains they don't know how long it's going to last. 

""Some things are a little more dire," says Kitchen. "Some things are about selection. There are often preferences people have -- chewable versus suspension, and flavour. Unfortunately, being picky in terms of child preferences isn't always an option right now. I think it's important for people to be speaking with their pharmacist."

Kitchen outlines how other options could be available and how important a pharmacist is in this sort of situation.

"Whether it's talking to the pharmacist about specific dosing while using what might be available, such as an adult product, but tailoring the dose to your specific child to get what they need but not any more than they should be getting, they can inform you," continues Kitchen. "Also, looking at options that maybe they wouldn't have thought about, but they go to the quick and easy multifaceted products. Maybe we can help with a nasal decongestant in a different way."

She says Pharmacists have some answers for these situations. 

"We are also looking at trying to compound things that can't be made," adds Kitchen. "So, when options do become eliminated, pharmacists are looking at ways to help those children the best we can."