Estonian children are currently experiencing the highest outbreak of flu and respiratory viruses in the last ten years, and at the same time pharmacies are running out of medicines, writes Estonian media ERR News.
Family doctor Eero Merilind has published instructions for parents and tips on how to deal with fever without medication on social networks. Pharmacies are running out of children’s ibuprofen and paracetamol, and the flu outbreak is testing supply chains. The situation in Estonia is part of a global trend and also related to the pandemic. During this time, the prevalence of viral infections was significantly lower, and production volumes were also reduced accordingly. The virus prevalence is now back to normal and production is ramping up again, but the changes have caused problems in supply chains.
Merilind told the TV program Aktuaalne kaamera: «We are currently in a situation where it is very difficult for doctors to treat.
It’s flu season, viruses are raging, but there are no medicines. There are no fever-reducing drugs, no antibiotics, no eye infection medicine.
There are a lot of supply difficulties in Estonia.» He added that he does not remember when Estonia had such big problems with the availability of even the most common medicines.
Pharmacist Karin Alamaa pointed out that there is also a shortage of syrups, and they cannot be made locally in the pharmacy. Although it might technically be possible, the pharmacist told that such a syrup would be very bitter and it would be better to crush the tablets into a powder and measure the correct dose.
The flu season has not yet reached its peak, but no one can offer a quick fix for the current situation. The next deliveries are expected to reach Estonia in January or early February.