Concerns have been raised about a shortage of cough and cold medicines available in pharmacies as winter bugs continue to spread at high levels. Throat lozenges, cough mixtures and some pain killers are among those in short supply, pharmacy leaders said.
The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies said there are supply issues of both branded and unbranded medicines to treat seasonal illnesses. It comes after the UK Health Security Agency warned that winter illnesses including flu and Covid-19 continue to circulate at “high levels”.
As a result, officials urged people to keep children with a fever off school and urged unwell adults to wear face masks to stem the spread of infections. The association said that the latest shortages – which come off the back of supply issues with antibiotics and HRT last year – show there were issues with the supply chain and suggested that a “lack of planning” from government officials was to blame.
