Drugstores Limit Purchases of Children's Pain-Relief Medicine, as Cold-and-Flu Season Peaks Early

By Rockland Daily Staff

Today is only the first day of winter, but New York's cold-and-flu season, especially among children, is already in full swing: leading major pharmacy chains to limit purchases of Children's Tylenol, other over-the-counter meds, and the prescription antibiotic amoxicillin.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the short supply of many cold-and-flu medications is due to increased demand.

"This is the earliest peak in influenza we have seen in more than a decade," Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) added. "As a result, sales of pediatric internal analgesics are up 65% compared to last year."

In Monsey, local pharmacies are also facing challenges in keeping cold and flu medications in stock.

"It's definitely hard to get stock," said the manager of one Monsey pharmacy, "but baruch Hashem, we have stock and aren't limiting any purchases. If we have the items and someone wants to purchase them, we don't refuse the customer."

On the other hand, customers who go online or head to CVS, for instance will face a two-product limit on all kids' over-the-counter fever-reducing products, CBS MoneyWatch confirmed. 

Walgreens also limits each online purchase to six over-the-counter fever reducers, and Rite Aid limits online customers to a maximum of four grape flavor, 4 oz. Children's Tylenol.