Tampon shortage latest sign of supply chain woes in US stores

Tampons are in short supply in stores across the United States due to global supply chain issues and some panic buying

Tampons are the latest product disappearing from store shelves in the United States, another illustration of supply chain problems that are complicating daily life, following the troubling shortage of baby formula.

Drugstore chains CVS and Walgreens confirmed in messages to AFP that some brands of tampons are temporarily unavailable in some areas.

"We understand it is frustrating for consumers when they can't find what they need. We can assure you this is a temporary situation in the US, and the Tampax team is producing tampons 24/7 to meet the increased demand for our products," they said in a statement.

The company said they "anticipate returning to normal levels in the coming weeks." 

Walgreens meanwhile said it was working with suppliers to "ensure we have supply available" in all its stores.

The situation has been going on for months, but has received increasing media attention in recent days.

Patrick Penfield, a supply chain management specialist at Syracuse University, says demand has increased recently in particular because of additional purchases by consumers who see the shortage of certain brands and panic that they won't be able to get more product.

There is also a shortage of certain raw materials, including cotton and plastic, he said.

In addition, some factories are struggling to operate at full capacity due to staff shortages or Covid-19 spikes, he said.

When it comes to tampons, "the factories are operating," Penfield said, predicting a return to normal within the next six months.

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