Gaviscon hit by global shortage due to one key ingredient

A product that many Aussies rely on daily has been hit with a global shortage due to one very specific – and peculiar – reason.

A medical product that many Aussies rely on is being impacted by a global shortage, with a very specific type of seaweed behind the company’s issues.

If you suffer from heartburn or indigestion then you know how important it is to have access to products such as Gaviscon.

Gaviscon is one of the most popular brands used to treat these issues and works by forming a protective layer that floats on top of the contents of your stomach, therefore stopping stomach acid escaping into your food pipe.

For many Australians and people around the world it is basically an essential product to have on hand.

However, shoppers are increasingly finding supermarket and pharmacy shelves devoid of the product – and it all has to do with the lack of one key ingredient.

Gaviscon has been hit by shortages.

Gaviscon, which is manufactured by the company Reckitt Benckiser, informed news.com.au that a shortage of a very specific type of seaweed grown only in Norway is behind the global supply issues.

This seaweed species is used to create medical grade sodium alginate, which is the key ingredient in Gaviscon.

“The shortage is a consequence of poor weather conditions and low harvest yields,” the company said in a statement.

“Only alginates derived from a specific species have the precise characteristics to be used in the manufacture of effective heartburn and indigestion products such as Gaviscon.”

The shortage hasn’t gone unnoticed by customers, with some even taking to social media to try and figure out why they can’t purchase the products they need.

“Why is there a shortage of Gaviscon Advance Peppermint oral suspension? None in … pharmacies. It is the only effective treatment for those of us with Oesophagus removal,” one person said in a tweet to Reckitt.

“Has Gaviscon double advance 600ml been discontinued as cannot find it online to buy anywhere that isn’t way over price?” another person asked.

Reckitt informed both customers about the shortage of sodium alginate and informed them they were working with supply partners to put products back on shelves.

Another customer turned to their community Facebook group after being unable to find any Gaviscon for infants in stock.

“Does anyone know which chemist has infant Gaviscon in stock? There’s a supply issue or something and I can’t seem to find one that has it in,” she wrote.

Some customers have been struggling to find the Gaviscon products they need.

Coles and Woolworths confirmed to news.com.au that their stores had been impacted by the shortages.

“Due to global supply chain challenges, we are experiencing shortages with some Gaviscon products. We are continuing to monitor supply and are working with our suppliers to improve availability,” a Coles spokesperson said.

Woolworths said customers may noticed a reduced availability for Gaviscon both in-store and online, adding it was “working closely with the supplier to try and maintain a consistent flow of stock”.

Gaviscon stock may vary from store to store.

Gaviscon said “as a responsible company” it recognised its duty to produce unconstrained access to its product but, unfortunately, the shortage of medical grade sodium alginate was impacting this.

“We are working diligently with our supply partners to secure as much production as possible and will do our best to ensure our consumers, patients and healthcare professionals have access to the heartburn and indigestion treatment they love and trust,” Gaviscon said.

“We understand that this is a difficult situation, and we appreciate your continued trust during this unprecedented time.”

This isn’t the only medical product shoppers have had trouble finding in recent months, with Lemsip products being stripped from shelves as the brutal winter flu season swept across Australia.

Last month, most lines of the popular cold and flu hot drink powder were listed as out of stock on the Woolworths website, while Coles shoppers reported empty shelves.

@woolworths
Wanted to let you know about your beautiful team at the Altona Nth store. They called me to say my online order for Lemsip couldn't be filled. I asked if an alt was avail. as I've got covid. It wasn't, but these sweet ppl have made my day with their kindness. pic.twitter.com/y8k9jpzvyu

— Leah (@mithril_mayhem) July 7, 2022

Lemsip, which is also manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser, contains paracetamol and phenylephrine and is used for the temporary relief of symptoms of colds and flu, including body aches and pains, sore throat, headache and nasal congestion.

Coles and Woolworths both confirmed they were experiencing shortages.

“With winter well and truly here, we’re seeing increased demand for products that can help ease cold and flu symptoms,” a Coles spokeswoman told news.com.au.

“Unfortunately, we are also currently experiencing supply chain issues for Lemsip, which means customers might not be able to find this product on our shelves. We understand the frustration for customers and are working hard with our supplier to improve availability as quickly as possible.”

Woolworths still had some Lemsip but availability was varying from store to store.

“The early start to the flu season has resulted in higher levels of demand for cold and flu products, such as Lemsip,” a Woolworths spokesman said.

“We’re working closely with suppliers to maintain regular and consistent deliveries of cold and flu stock to supermarkets. We encourage everyone to continue shopping as they normally would and only buy what they need.”

Originally published as Gaviscon hit by global shortage due to one key ingredient