“Covid-19 has led to an increase in Doliprane consumption, as well as winter pathologies”, observes Pierre Demay, manager of the station pharmacy for ten years. As a result, several forms of Doliprane are lacking in some pharmacies. But there is nothing to be alarmed regarding, we are reassured, this Friday, April 22, in pharmacies in downtown Nevers.
Alternatives to Doliprane
“For several months, I have been missing Doliprane 1,000 capsules. I received some, but in small quantities,” explains Pierre Demay. According to the doctor of pharmacy, the situation does not only concern the drug from Sanofi. He talks regarding forty other products: “I have never experienced so many supply disruptions in over thirty years of practice,” he says. He has no choice but to show patience: “We end up receiving them, they arrive within three weeks or a month. For the patients, we replace them with other things”.
At the Clavilier pharmacy, “a small quantity of Doliprane in capsules was received in small quantities this week”, we are reassured, while recalling that alternatives exist for adults: Efferalgan or Dafalgan.
According to Benjamin Brodat, head of the Carnot pharmacy, the hardest part is behind us: “In March, we struggled to get supplies. But it came back slowly. And we had stocks so there wasn’t really a shortage,” he explains. The most affected forms were Doliprane 1,000 in capsules and Liquiz for children, in 200 and 300 mg. Again, the pharmacist offers “alternatives with other laboratories”. For him, there is no question of scarcity: “There is no real concern to have,” he smiles behind the mask.
Mail. “Our priority is to get out of this situation as quickly as possible,” says Sanofi in a letter to pharmacists on April 12. Delivery difficulties are anticipated until June.
Three reasons. Sanofi underlines a significant and continuous increase in orders; deliveries of packaging items delayed by its suppliers and a worldwide shortage of raw materials and excipients. “These last two factors require us to adjust our production plans and the deadlines communicated to you on a daily basis”, Sanofi apologizes to the pharmacists.
Linda Hammer
