Manufacturers of pediatric medicines told the White House this week that they are running their facilities 24/7 to meet demand as parents across the country continue to deal with drug shortages caused by the spread of COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
According to a statement released on Thursday, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf held talks with the management of major drug manufacturers and distributors.
“All companies said they operate production facilities around the clock to meet demand. Stocks of these products are being restocked as quickly as possible and there is no widespread shortage of pediatric medicines,” HHS said in a statement.
Those who spoke with Becerra and Califf included pharmaceutical companies Perrigo and Johnson & Johnson.
The recent increase in the spread of respiratory viruses in the US has led major pharmacy chains such as Walgreens and CVS to restrict the amount of painkillers for children that customers can buy at one time.
Regarding the decision, Walgreens stated that retailers are having issues with supplier processing due to increased demand for over-the-counter drugs. However, the company announced earlier this week that it has enough products to “support our customers and patients.”
Die
confirmed cases of COVID-19 have risen sharply in recent weeks. The number of cases of common viruses such as RSV and flu increased at the beginning of this year than before, hitting hospitals hard and burdening many. According to the latest flu report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity remains high but appears to be declining in some parts of the country.
Thirty deaths from pediatric flu have been reported so far this year’s flu season.
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it would release doses of the prescription flu drug Tamiflu from the Strategic National Stockpile. Jurisdictions will have the option to request additional doses of Tamiflu when they have exhausted their own supplies.