High street chemists facing hay fever pill shortage

High street chemists facing hay fever pill shortage

High Street chemists have run out of some hay-fever medicine, as the UK faces a nationwide shortage in supplies.

Chlorphenamine maleate, the active ingredient in brands such as Piriton, stocks are currently limited, according to retailer Boots.

The chain said it still had a large range of other hay-fever medicines in stores and online.

Pollen counts will remain medium to high across much of the UK this week, the Met Office says.

A Boots official said: “There are a very small number of lines that are currently out of stock due to a current, industry-wide shortage of the active ingredient.

“However, we are expecting this to be resolved soon and new deliveries are expected in the coming weeks.”

Some hay-fever medication, including chlorphenamine, can cause drowsiness.

Those affected should avoid driving, riding a bike and using tools or machinery.

As well as a variety of pills, shops sell nasal sprays and eye drops that can relieve symptoms, such as itchy eyes and runny nose.

The NHS also suggests:

• Vaseline around the nostrils, to trap pollen
• wraparound sunglasses, to prevent pollen reaching the eyes
• staying indoors with windows and doors shut
• showering and changing clothes after going outside

At the end of April, the government appointed a hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) tsar to tackle drug shortages affecting products used by about a million women in the UK to treat menopause symptoms.

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen. When this happens, the body makes a chemical called histamine.

Drugs called antihistamines – chlorphenamine is an antihistamine – can help with the symptoms.

According to Kleenex, roughly one in three suffer with hay fever, with many suffering mild symptoms every summer.