Americans Might Face Sporadic Shortages For Children's Flu, Cold Medicine

With the coming of the winter season, federal data shows that flu infections and hospitalizations are rising, in addition to an already busy season for other respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus.
Simultaneously, Covid-related hospitalizations have increased in recent weeks, though slightly lower than the last year.
With the rise in infections, U.S. households are spending on cough and cold medicines and children's pain relievers, resulting in sporadic shortages of some drugs online and at stores.
Citing Jefferies's analysis of Nielsen data, Wall Street Journal notes that sales of cough and cold medications at U.S. retailers rose 35% Y/Y in the four weeks that ended Dec. 3. Spending on throat sprays and lozenges increased 56% in the period.
Some pain-relief treatment brands for children are sold out on Amazon.com Inc AMZN, the online sites of CVS Health Corp CVS, and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc WBA.
Procter & Gamble Co PG spokesman said the country is seeing an "unprecedented level of respiratory need."
Though, retailers and data-tracking firms say overall supplies remain healthy amid an increase in demand.
Also, in an effort to tackle coronavirus infections over the winter, the Biden administration said that U.S. households can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government website.
The administration would start shipping orders for the latest round of free tests from Monday, Reuters reported.
Photo by Arek Socha from Pixabay