TORONTO -- Pharmacists are warning against stockpiling medication as Canadians beef up their home supplies for coronavirus outbreak contingency plans.
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) said Wednesday that it does not recommend amassing large quantities of prescription medication out of fear of local outbreaks of COVID-19.
鈥淭his is completely unnecessary and could trigger drug shortages,鈥� the non-profit . 鈥淯nnecessary stockpiling of medication can create unintended shortages and puts other patients鈥� health at risk.鈥�
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The A spokesperson for the group told CTVNews.ca there鈥檚 a 鈥渉igh likelihood鈥� there will be drug shortages related to COVID-19, though there haven鈥檛 been any yet.
The novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has infected more than 92,800 people around the world, including 33 in Canada, and killed at least 3,200, mostly in China.
鈥淲hat we don鈥檛 want to see happen is people rushing to the pharmacy looking for a three- or four-month supply,鈥� said Barry Power.
While many insurance plans only allow for a 30- or 90-day maximum supply -- and most pharmacies wouldn鈥檛 even be able to supply that amount, he added -- the Wednesday warning was issued in part to prevent pharmacies from being bombarded with requests. The CPhA is 鈥渜uite concerned鈥� that the widespread suggestion that Canadians begin stockpiling will 鈥渇uel the panic鈥� around the virus, he added.
The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday of shortages in medical equipment that could hamper the response to the outbreak. "Shortages are leaving doctors, nurses and other front line health care workers dangerously ill-equipped," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 鈥淭he WHO has shipped nearly half a million sets of personal protective equipment to 27 countries, but supplies are rapidly depleting.鈥�
The Wednesday warning from the CPhA was in part a response to recent statements from officials suggesting Canadians build an emergency stash of necessary items, said Power. Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said last week that Canadians should stockpile food and meds in case of an at-home quarantine.
鈥淚t鈥檚 completely reasonable for people to check their first aid kit,鈥� said Power, noting that over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and antihistamines are good to have on hand.
鈥淩ight now, the likelihood of many people being quarantined is fairly low. The infection seems to be very well controlled, largely thanks to our experience with SARS,鈥� he added.
In its Wednesday statement, the CPhA explained further that pharmacists manage their drug supply carefully when there are disruptions in supply to ensure that their patients can receive the appropriate amount of medication needed.
鈥淐PhA is committed to working with Health Canada and PHAC to ensure that pharmacists across Canada have the tools and resources to support their patients as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak,鈥� the statement said.
