Emergency supplies of children’s Tylenol on way to Canada

Emergency supplies of pain and fever medication are expected to arrive soon at hospitals overwhelmed by respiratory illnesses.

Health Canada says special imports of ibuprofen from the U.S. are waiting for distribution, while acetaminophen imports from Australia are imminent.

It isn’t saying how much is expected or how the stock will be split among hospitals.

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A months-long shortage of children’s pain and fever medication has sent many parents and caregivers scouring bare shelves and swapping tips on drug sightings.

Drug policy expert Mina Tadrous says it all started with a spring shortage of a specific brand of acetaminophen.

The shortage sparked a secondary strain on alternative brands and products including those containing ibuprofen.

And that was followed by an unusual late summer emergence of R-S-V, a common fall and winter illness in children which is continuing to slam hospitals.

Experts say that fall has also brought a tremendous numbers of patients hit by influenza and COVID-19.

Drugmakers have boosted production to address the spike in demand, but Tadrous says it’s not easy for them to pivot.