European shortage of liquid paracetamol for kids

There is a European shortage of over-the-counter liquid paracetamol, according to the Swedish Medicines Agency.

During the winter months, the availability of non-prescription liquid paracetamol has been reduced.

During the winter months, the availability of non-prescription liquid paracetamol has been reduced.

Foto: Beate Oma Dahle/NTB/TT

Medicin2023-02-07 15:30

The shortage has arisen mainly due to the increased demand for medicines during the winter months. But manufacturers have also not produced medicines in the quantity and at the pace that has been required to meet the high demand, writes the Swedish Medicines Agency in a press release.

Mickaela Borg, press contact at Apoteksgruppen, tells Dagens Nyheter that the company has had a shortage of liquid paracetamol for children since January.

– There was a sharp increase in covid-19, influenza and RS virus during December, which has caused a shortage of liquid paracetamol in January. We can see the shortage all over Europe, said Borg.

It is mostly smaller over-the-counter packages of oral solution that have been affected.

According to the pharmaceutical manufacturers, partial deliveries will be made at regular intervals for the next few weeks and in March the shortage is expected to end.