Increased demand has led CVS and Walgreens to limit purchases of children’s pain-relief medicine.
CVS is restricting both in-person and online purchases to two children’s pain relief products. Walgreens has limited online purchases to six over-the-counter fever reducers per transaction, but it does not have an in-store purchase limit.
“Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products are seeing constraints across the country,” Walgreens said in a statement. The limits were put into place “in an effort to help support availability and avoid excess purchases.”
CVS also cited increased demand for these items and collaboration with suppliers to ensure continued access.
The limits were placed to “ensure equitable access” for all customers, according to a statement from CVS.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association said sales of pediatric pain relievers are up 65% from this time last year.
“Supplies of these products are being replenished as quickly as possible, and there is not a widespread shortage in the US. However, with demand for children’s pain and fever medicines reaching unprecedented levels following this early and severe flu season (along with cases of RSV and COVID), we understand why some retailers have adjusted to impose limits on purchases,” the group said in a statement.