CNN:
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After weeks of high demand that boosted supply, Walgreens lifted limits on online purchases of children’s pain relievers and fever reducers Monday morning, spokeswoman Zoe Cray told CNN.
Walgreens only had restrictions on drugs purchased online. It had no restrictions on over-the-counter drugs.
“So we currently have no purchase restrictions either in-store or online,” Cray said.
The change comes after high demand for children’s pain and fever medications led some stores, including CVS and Rite Aid, to limit purchases. A severe respiratory virus season has boosted sales of pain and fever drugs for children 65% higher than usual last year.
CVS told CNN on Monday that it currently has a two-product limit for all children’s pain relief products in its stores and online. A spokeswoman for the chain said the restrictions are in place “to ensure fair access for all of our customers” and said CVS is working with its suppliers to ensure continued access to products.
CNN has also reached out to Rite Aid for comment.
Last month, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents over-the-counter drug makers, said manufacturers are working 24/7 to get more drugs to stores, but there is no timetable for when supply might catch up with demand.
Since then, flu and RSV activity has peaked in the US, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cases of Covid-19 are still increasing.
However, flu and other respiratory virus activity remains “high” or “very high” in about half of the states, according to CDC data updated Friday, and the U.S. continues to struggle with multiple respiratory viruses circulating at high levels.
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