An indication is placed near the pediatric medicine section, Monday, December 19, 2022 at Walgreens in Latest York City, United States.
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CVS and Walgreens they limit the variety of children’s painkillers people can purchase at one time winter “triple” respiratory virusesfirms announced on Monday.
In a press release, CVS said it was limiting the variety of painkillers to two. Walgreens customers should buy six over-the-counter fever medications for children, the corporate said in a press release.
“Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, over-the-counter fever-reducing products for children are facing restrictions across the country,” said Walgreens.
The limit applies to products bought online or in pharmacies, the businesses said.
Walmart said in a press release that while the corporate has seen higher demand for pediatric drugs this yr, it has been able to meet that demand and no purchase limits apply.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency was tracking the growing demand for drugs.
“Every operational division at HHS is involved and plays a critical role in addressing these issues,” the spokesperson said in a press release.
In a separate statement, the Food and Drug Administration added that it cannot require firms to manufacture drugs, but is working closely with drugmakers to “understand, mitigate and stop or reduce the impact of intermittent or increased demand for certain products.”
“The FDA understands that manufacturers expect an additional increase in availability within the near future,” the statement reads.
This fall, doctors noticed an early rise in respiratory disease among young children, with infants and preschoolers catching the flu and other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Several children’s hospitals within the US a severe and invasive type of strep has also recently been detected which has killed at the least 15 children in Britain since mid-September.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 19: An individual buys medicine, Monday, December 19, 2022 at Walgreens in Latest York, United States.
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As of Monday, 78% of hospital beds in nearly 5,000 hospitals across the country were full, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. According to the information, almost the identical percentage of intensive care beds were in use.
According data released on Friday According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of individuals infected with influenza remained high, but decreased in some areas.
The agency recorded nine child deaths last week, bringing the variety of children who’ve died from the disease this season to 30. Overall, the agency estimated 150,000 flu hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths.
Experts say respiratory viruses have hit young children hard as many have stayed home after the coronavirus pandemic hit nearly three years ago, leaving their immune systems vulnerable to common illnesses.
— Valeriya Antonshchuk contributed.