Belgium sees shortage of some painkillers for children: ‘Hoarding not necessary’

Belgian pharmacies are experiencing a shortage of some painkillers for children but assure consumers that “hoarding is absolutely unnecessary”.

The shortage mainly concerns some medicines by the brands Perdolan and Nurofen, VRT reports. 

Pharmaceutical companies look at the sales from recent years when determining their production, explained the General Pharmaceutical Association (APB), meaning what’s on the shelves today relates to what was sold in 2021 and 2020.

But during these pandemic years of quarantining, social distancing and wearing masks, there was less illness and consequently fewer medicines were sold as a result.  

Now that pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted, illnesses are circulating as they did in pre-pandemic times. 

“Children are coming into contact with each other more and viruses are circulating more – not just Covid-19, by the way, but other infections too,” said Koen Straetmans of the APB. 

“Children are therefore getting sick more than in the past two years, and so they need more medication. The industry seems to have underestimated production somewhat.”

Regardless, Straetmans stressed that the current shortages were no cause for concern. 

“People certainly don't need to start hoarding. There are still alternatives available within the ranges where there are shortages,” Straetmans said.

“Moreover, there are also other brands. If you need a fever reducer or painkiller, it’s best to ask your pharmacist for advice. He or she will always be able to provide you with a remedy appropriate for age and condition.”