ATLANTA — It’s not hard to find someone who has already been bitten by the cold and flu bugs this season.
It’s why some local pharmacies and many of the national chains are scrambling to keep over-the-counter medications on the shelves.
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We’re told that children’s Tylenol is the popular go-to medication here at Briarcliff Pharmacy during any given cold and flu season.
But during this season here and at other pharmacies, every over-the-counter cold and flu medicine is a hot commodity.
“There’s a lot of shortages right now due to the rise of flu, RSV, COVID and everything like that going on. Everyone is trying to get stocked up,” said Demetios Gavalas of Briarcliff Pharmacy.
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However, a lot of people can’t find the medicine they need — including people like Tyler Tredway, who has two small children.
“Yeah, I was trying to buy children’s Advil at Publix, and they were out,” he said.
We’re told the early jump-start to the cold, flu and COVID-19 season created a surge in demand for fever relievers — and other products that people can buy without a prescription.
“So, it’s a mix of trying to keep the demands for the people coming in and try to keep the supply. Because not everyone is going to keep 20 bottles of something on the shelf,” Gavalas said.
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Pharmacists and doctors are becoming increasingly concerned that as customers learn of the shortages, some are stock piling.
We’re told that aside from over-the-counter products, the prescription antibiotic Amoxicillin is also in short supply due to increased demand.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the drug is often used to treat nose and throat infections in children.
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