Panadol and Nurofen pain medication shortage as panic buying ramps up

Popular drugs Australians have been urged to use if they contract Covid have been completely cleared off shelves, as panic buying continues.

Painkillers such as Panadol and Nurofen have been completely cleared off Australian shelves as panic buying reaches new heights.

Panicked shoppers took to social media this week claiming paracetamol and ibuprofen had all but been cleared out, sharing photos of near empty shelves across multiple supermarkets and pharmacies.

A painkiller shortage has hit supermarket and chemist shelves across Australia.

A painkiller shortage has hit supermarket and chemist shelves across Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Robinson

It comes after deputy chief health officer Professor Michael Kidd urged Australians to stock up on over-the-counter painkillers, as cases skyrocketed into the tens of thousands each day.

Professor Kidd said having the medication on hand would help to manage fevers and mild aches or pains.

“The first thing to do is to be prepared,” he said.

“My advice is that you make sure you have some paracetamol or ibuprofen at home in case you’re diagnosed with Covid-19.

“Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to manage fever and aches and pains.

“It’s important to be prepared because you won’t be able to go to your supermarket or pharmacy if you are diagnosed with Covid-19.”

Deputy chief medical officer Professor Michael Kidd urged people to stock up on painkillers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The warning caused a wave of panic buying of the products, with many people reporting empty shelves in the supermarkets and pharmacies.

On Tuesday, Twitter users posted dozens of photos of empty shelves to the social media network.

Ardeer, Vic pic.twitter.com/G5j9U7ZVAa

— Caleb (@Toey_tucker) January 10, 2022

Our local Woolies was all out of panadol, nurofen and cold and flu meds on Thursday. Also toilet paper and tissues. pic.twitter.com/dFQK91r8i2

— faranaaz (@faranaaz) January 8, 2022

Went to get some paracetamol in Preston Victoria pic.twitter.com/FhTQQJ8zvM

— DarebinDyke 💉💉 (@DarebinDyke) January 10, 2022

“No Panadol on the shelves at my local Woolworths yesterday – stripped bare,” one person posted on Twitter.

“Use Panadol they say. There’s no Panadol to buy at Coles, at Woolworths, at the 4 local chemists or at Aldi. There is no Nurofen either,” another person said.

“So the local Woolworths was saying they had Rapid Antigen Tests. Husband went down. Nope no RATs. All gone. Also no Panadol, Nurofen or any other painkillers. Well done Greg Hunt. This is how you create that hoarding sh** you were talking about,” added a third.

Another person said they had searched for Panadol on the Woolworths online site and the item was unavailable.

The issue has affected not just the painkiller aisles, but has spanned to fresh food and other household items.

So not only are people panic buying toilet paper again but now they are also stocking up on panadol and nurofen, most stores are sold out now 🙃

— Violet (@VioletsZone) January 10, 2022

A spokesperson for GSK Consumer Healthcare, the company responsible for the production of Panadol, urged people to not hoard the medicine.

They said there was currently limited supply in some stores and pharmacies.

“We urge Australians to responsibly purchase for their immediate needs to ensure there is supply for everyone,” the spokesperson said.

“Provided this occurs, there will be adequate supply of Panadol within the grocery and pharmacy networks to ensure all Australians have access.

“Given the current situation, where possible, orders are being advanced and stock redeployed from other markets. We are also working with our business partners to ensure that stock is distributed widely.

Still no Rapid Antigen tests at my local Woolies. None last night. None this morning. Meat section cleared out. Panadol/Nurofen section cleared out. Sanitiser section cleared out.

— William Franco (@WillyFranco) January 10, 2022

Professor Kidd said many Australians would test positive in the coming days and weeks as case numbers continued to surge.

“With the rising case numbers we’ve seen over the past week in many parts of the country, it’s likely that many of us will test positive for Covid-19 over the coming days and weeks if we haven’t already done so,” he said.

He said many people would have no symptoms at all, while others would have mild symptoms.

“You‘ll need to drink plenty of fluids which can be water, but you may also benefit from using electrolyte powder or solution,” he said.