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Paracetamol, a drug commonly used to relieve headaches and fever, is reportedly in short supply nationwide.
Malaysians have reported finding it tough to find the drug, including those from a leading trademark, in pharmacies and convenience stores.
According to New Straits Times, the shortage is believed to be caused by more people buying up the drugs to reduce side effects such as fever, joint pain and headaches from vaccinations.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) president Amrahi Buang confirmed the drug shortage in other states, including the capital too.
I got information from my peers all over the country. This shortage has been going on for several months, and maybe it is happening at the manufacturing or distribution level. Because manufacturing depends on the ingredients or the packaging or logistics, this will affect the availability of stock across the country.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) president Amrahi Buang.
If you find yourself urgently needing paracetamol to relieve fever, you can try asking the pharmacists if they have antipyretic (fever-reducing) alternatives such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
However, ibuprofen and aspirin need to be used with caution because they can worsen asthma for some asthmatic people. These two drugs can also cause gastric if taken without food or for those with a sensitive stomach.
Children under the age of 16 are also not recommended to take aspirin unless it’s prescribed by a doctor.
Bottom line, it’s important to always check with your doctor before purchasing any medicinal drugs in order to make sure you’re consuming the proper medication.
If all else fails, a patch like Koolfever might temporarily help and it’s a safer alternative when used correctly.
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