More children's medication arrives in Canada, unclear how much is coming to B.C., and when
Canada's supply of children's cold and flu medication increased by more than 2 million units this week, but it's not known when supplies will arrive in B.C., or how many are on the way to the province.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced on Friday that one million bottles arrived this week through foreign imports and about 1.1 million units have been produced domestically so far in November.
In addition, another 500,000 units of children's medication will arrive in Canada over the next three weeks through foreign imports.
“I am seeing a lot of friends and colleagues and pharmacists around the city are starting to receive supply,” said Ottawa pharmacist Dr. Sheli Dattani, vice president of pharmacy affairs for the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada.
The same can’t be said for B.C.
Jamie Wigston, president of the BC Pharmacy Association, said he hadn’t heard of any shipments arriving.
“I don't know anything about the specific quantities (or) the dates it's coming, anything more than you at the moment,” Wigston told CTV News Saturday.
Even the B.C. Ministry of Health couldn’t say. A statement to CTV News said, in part: “The exact allocation quantity for B.C. is still being determined."
The lack of supply comes as the country sees a surge in the number of sick children. B.C.'s Surrey Memorial Hospital is seeing quadruple as many patients as their emergency department was designed for, and 100 more kids per day than last year – making it one of the busiest pediatric units in the country.
Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh, president of Doctors of B.C., said while there’s no direct correlation between a lack of medication and increased ER visits, it’s another added strain.
“The lack of access to medications, especially pain relievers, to help our infants and pediatric population is definitely stressing and can cause increased anxiety in parents,” Dosanjh said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.