Paracetamol for children now only available from pharmacies

Due to problems of supplying paracetamol for children, the Danish Medicines Agency is now taking action to ensure that there is enough for the children who need it the most. Director General of the Danish Medicines Agency: ”Buy only what you need”.

From today, the Danish Medicines Agency has restricted the sale of paracetamol for children, taking it off the shelves in supermarkets and other retail outlets, etc. This is done to ensure that there is enough for the children who need it the most.

“The companies that manufacture the medicine have come under enormous pressure to supply the medicine, and COVID-19 is a contributory factor. Not so long ago, we limited the sale of OTC medicines in supermarkets, and now we are taken further action with paracetamol to avoid that our youngest children will suffer,” says Director General of the Danish Medicines Agency, Thomas Senderovitz.

The restrictions on the sale of paracetamol concern oral suspension and suppositories. Parents can buy suppositories for their children over the counter at the pharmacy. The oral suspension is now available on prescription only and with the limitation that pharmacies may only dispense the medicine to children weighing less than 10 kg.

Danish Medicines Agency: ”Buy only what you need”

“It is important that we help each other in this situation. My best advice is to buy only what you need. If you buy more, the weakest in our society will be those suffering,” says Thomas Senderovitz.

The restrictions will apply until the supply of paracetamol for children is back to normal.

At the pharmacy, parents can receive counselling and advice about which painkillers are most suitable for children.