‘Completely out of stock’: Children’s medicine shortage persists in Boise-area pharmacies

A nationwide shortage of over-the-counter children’s medicine is affecting supply in the Boise area.

The shelves at a CVS Pharmacy on Fairview Avenue, where bottles of infant pain and fever relievers usually lie, were completely empty on Jan. 17.

The company, which began restricting both in-store and online purchases of the products in mid-December, still has a two-product limit on all children’s pain relievers, a CVS spokesperson told the Idaho Statesman by email. She did not say when the restriction would end.

Children’s and infants’ Tylenol, Motrin and Ibuprofen are all out of stock on the company’s website. The spokesperson said CVS is working with suppliers to ensure continued access to the items.

CVS isn’t the only store dealing with the shortages. Brittney Ratcil, a pharmacy technician at the Albertsons at 1650 W. State St., said the store’s supply has been sporadic.

”We’re completely out of stock,” Ratcil told the Statesman Monday by phone. “We’re on back order with no ETA on when we might have more.”

Walgreens ended its limit on online purchases of children’s fever reducing products on Jan. 17, citing “improved in-stock conditions,” according to a spokesperson. The company placed no restrictions on in-store purchases.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it was closely monitoring pediatric ibuprofen and acetaminophen supplies, which have seen “increased demand” since late last year because of a rise in respiratory illnesses and an early start to the annual flu season.

St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise reported in November that it was experiencing a major uptick in kids needing care for a respiratory virus called RSV, which typically causes a mild, cold-like illness.

The rise in cases marked an unusually fast start to the virus’s typical season.

Some Treasure Valley residents have detailed their struggles with finding common over-the-counter children’s medications and other prescription drugs over the last month. One reported not being able to find children’s Tylenol or Ibuprofen at a local pharmacy when their child spiked a fever.

“It’s nearly impossible to find children’s Tylenol or Motrin in Boise,” another resident wrote on Twitter. “Our grandson had to have a new Rx written because no one had amoxicillin when he had strep last week.”

Statesman attempts to reach Rite Aid stores in the Boise area for comment were unsuccessful.

CDC reports significant changes in COVID-19 levels in Boise area. What they mean to you

St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital reports sudden uptick in patients with respiratory virus