The Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) has urged people not to panic amid a current shortage of cough and cold medicines and high levels of winter illness.
It comes many pharmacists have reported shortages of common medicines for colds and flu including throat lozenges, cough mixtures and some pain killers.
According to the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, there are supply issues with both branded and unbranded medicines used to treat seasonal illnesses.
Read more: NI Ambulance Service probes 8 delayed response incidents involving death
Just last month, increased demand for penicillin, used to treat strep A and scarlet fever, meant that some pharmacists were experiencing temporary and localised supply issues.
The latest high demand has been sparked by increased cases of colds and flu and people trying very hard to look after themselves.
Both flu and COVID are currently circulating in Northern Ireland along with other respiratory viruses, which is contributing to the pressures currently being seen in hospitals, GP practices, GP Out of Hours and community pharmacist services.
Earlier this week, the Department of Health urged people to play their part to help Northern Ireland's health service as it continues to experience unprecedented pressures with many people facing significant delays in receiving care and treatment.
Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, told Belfast Live: "Pharmacies are facing difficulties getting the stock at the moment as stocks are running out. This is a UK wide issue and there are a couple of issues at play.
"Firstly there are global difficulties with active ingredients in these cough and cold remedies which affects the ability of the manufacturers and wholesalers to get the stock to pharmacies.
"On the back of that, at this time of year we tend to have a spike in coughs and colds and people are now a lot more self aware when it comes to looking after their own health and trying to treat symptoms.
"They are going to the pharmacy to seek products since it's hard to get into other parts of the health service at the moment. When you have this spike in demand, that's when supplies run out but of course, local community pharmacies will be doing their utmost to get the stock in with different suppliers."
Mr Greene added: "Pharmacies get deliveries on a daily basis and sometimes it could be a matter of timing and people trying multiple pharmacies. I would certainly urge people not to panic as a lot of the minor ailments like coughs and colds can be self-limiting and sometimes with time the symptoms can resolve.
"Simple measures such as paracetamol, rest, time and plenty of fluids can help to resolve these short self-limiting conditions but when you're going through it, we understand that you just want to get some of the over the counter medicines to help."
Meanwhile high street chains Boots and Superdrug have issued statements over the ongoing huge demand and shortage of cold and flu medicines in the UK.
Niamh McMillan, Superdrug pharmacy superintendent said: "We are currently experiencing exceptionally high demand for cold and flu products.
"If your usual products are unavailable and you're looking to relieve your symptoms, our pharmacists can offer advice on the most appropriate pain relief and decongestant products to help you."
A spokesperson from Boots added: "General availability of cough and cold relief at our stores across the UK is good, and enough to meet current demand.
"There may be temporary shortages in some stores of a particular brand, eg Lemsip, but there will almost always be suitable alternatives available. Customers should speak to their pharmacist for advice on alternatives, if needed."
READ NEXT:
- Nurse would be "extremely worried" if he had relative going into an ED
- NI man waiting over 100 hours in corridor at Ulster Hospital
- PHA statement on increase in respiratory illnesses and strep A
Health service faces 'difficult six to eight weeks' amid extreme pressures
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
