In Face of Tripledemic, CVS and Walgreens Limit Purchases of Pediatric Pain Meds

TUESDAY, Dec. 20, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- As a tripledemic of the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues to spread across the United States, customers at two major pharmacy chains will now be limited as to how much children's pain relievers and fever-reducing medications they can buy for their sick child.
Both CVS and Walgreens confirmed the limits Monday, CNN reported, though they have approached it in different ways. Walgreens is only limiting children's pain medications purchased online. The limit is six per transaction. Meanwhile, CVS is limiting both in-store and online purchases to two products per transaction.
This happens as high numbers of young children are sickened by a string of respiratory viruses, including RSV, COVID-19, and flu. More than four of every 1,000 young children younger than 5 years have been hospitalized with RSV this season, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. While the numbers of RSV hospitalizations have seen a significant drop during the past month, numbers are still high. Flu and COVID-19 activity is also high.
The medication limits are meant to "ensure equitable access," according to a CVS statement, CNN reported. "Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products are seeing constraint across the country," Walgreens said in its statement, CNN reported. The limits were put into place "in an effort to help support availability and avoid excess purchases."
Related Posts
Few Brains From Deceased Military Personnel Have Evidence of CTE
WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Brains from deceased military...
El ACV avanza como causa de mortalidad en todo el mundo
VIERNES, 19 de mayo de 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Las muertes debidas al tipo más...
Suicides Rise Again in the US, Increases Highest Among Minorities
MONDAY, Feb. 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Suicide rates have climbed again...