Do not stockpile medicines says Government

Thu, 19 Mar 2020

The Manx Government says measures are being taken to prevent the stockpiling of medicines, both prescription drugs and products sold over-the-counter in retail outlets.

Members of the public are being asked to not ask their GP for additional orders of their prescription medicines as doctors will not be able to supply them any earlier than they are due.

The Department of Health and Social Care is advising each household on the Island should have a small supply of medicines kept in a secure place for the treatment of minor illness.

In view of rising demand for analgesics and self-care items, the public are asked not to stockpile over-the-counter medicines as this can create a shortage and mean some people are not able to buy what they need.

The current advice is to use paracetamol for the headaches and fever associated with Covid-19 infections, and local pharmacists can advise on other practical items useful to have to hand.

Many pharmacies on the Island are restricting purchases to one pack od paracetamol per person.

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