Early next week much-needed children’s pain relief medications will be hitting store shelves, with more than a million bottles ordered from outside of Canada’s borders.

Health Canada’s Chief Medical Advisor says she understands the shortage of pain relief medications for children has been very stressful for parents and caregivers. Dr. Supriya Sharma stated Friday morning they have been meeting with stakeholders and manufacturers weekly and Canadian manufacturers have ramped up production, but the demand continues to increase because of the circulation of influenza, RSV and COVID-19.

Health Canada has now received and approved three proposals for foreign supplies of children’s liquid ibuprofen and liquid acetaminophen for children and babies. Dr. Sharma says they continue to look for more supplies of these medications.