Lemsip shortage STILL rampant across UK as pharmacies tell cold and flu victims 'just go home and take paracetamol'

Shortages of cough and cold medicines have been causing despair for pharmacists across Britain as patients are told to go home and take simple remedies such as paracetamol.

Pharmacy leaders have said a “lack of planning” from the Government is to blame for the short supply of stock.

Over the past six weeks, pharmacies have reported shortages as desperate Brits scrambled to find cold and flu supplies amid a surge of seasonal illnesses.

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies accused the Government of “being in denial” over problems with the supply chain.

Patients are being told to take paracetamol to treat coughs and cold
Yui Mok

Last month a warning was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that flu and Covid-19 will circulate at “high levels” over the winter period.

Connor Missenden, a dispensary lead at Aqua Pharmacy in Ipswich said it was proving "impossible" to find cold and flu medicine, particularly Day and Night Nurse which has been missing for months.

"We've got plenty of the standard decongestant tablets, but apart from that we're just asking people to stay hydrated and take paracetamol,” he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

One GP expert suggested that coughs that last a long time this winter may be the result of people picking up one infection after another.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said doctors have noticed that the current round of respiratory infections seems to be lasting longer than usual.

Chief executive Leyla Hannbeck said: “Pharmacists are struggling to obtain the very basic, most common cold and flu medicine.

“This isn’t just the branded medicines, it is also simple things like throat lozenges, cough mixtures or pain killers – particularly the ones that are soluble.

Brits seem to be suffering from respiratory infections for longer than usual
PA

“The demand has been high because this season we’ve seen higher cases of colds and flu and people are obviously trying very hard to look after themselves and making sure that they use the relevant products to manage the symptoms.

“And that has led to a shortage of these products in terms of us not being able to obtain them.”

Customers who cannot find their preferred brand are urged to try alternative products or to speak to pharmacists.