Singapore’s “Cold‑Medicine Crunch”: Our Pharmacy shelves feel the heat of self‑care
It’s a familiar sight in many of our neighbourhood drugstores: the aisles for the usual suspects—Panadol Cough & Cold and Decolgen—flicker grey, while the “special edition” boxes sit empty. A simple rise in the tide of mild COVID-19 cases, courtesy of the latest Omicron variant, has left many Singaporeans turning to the local pharmacy instead of a doctor’s office.
Why do the shelves look so bare?
- Panadol Cough & Cold – The golden tea‑green bottle that numbs throats and eases coughs is currently scarce at popular chains such as Watsons (99 outlets) and Guardian (115 stores).
- Decolgen – The blue bottle that keeps fevers in check is also in short supply, with Guardian’s online storefront advertising a “sold‑out” status.
- Other variants – Panadol Extra and certain “cold” formulations have been missing from shelves in the past, a pattern that has become an almost‑routine crisis of anticipation.
Online shelves? A silver lining
While the physical outlets are empty, a handful of e‑commerce sellers on Lazada and Shopee still hold the stock—though in limited quantities. Every now and then a regular shopper can spot a flash sale; it’s all the thrill of the hunt.
Who’s answering the call?
Guardian has been quick to admit that the uptick in self‑medication is the main reason behind the stock‑out. The company’s spokesperson said they’re tracking the situation and partnering with suppliers to speed up restocking.
Watsons, too, reports that new deliveries are slated to arrive between mid‑August and the end of the month, though supply‑chain hiccups have slowed the process.
Manufacturers on the front line
Haleon, the British manufacturer behind Panadol, is in full gear: “We’re producing record numbers of the drug, but demand for cold‑ and flu‑related products is unprecedentedly high and unpredictable.”
They acknowledge that, given the global supply‑chain strain, there may be stutters in availability of the exact Panadol variant a consumer might be looking for.
FairPrice’s perspective
A spokesman for FairPrice said the demand for cough and fever remedies has surged since the start of the year, a time that aligns with the Omicron surge. “Customers are increasingly turning to pharmacies rather than clinics,” he noted.
Government’s gentle push
In February, the Ministry introduced a set of measures aimed at easing pressure on the healthcare system. The crux? People with mild symptoms were encouraged to stay home, monitor themselves, and only seek medical help if the situation worsened.
Meet Ms Han Nguyen: a case study in self‑care
Ms Han Nguyen, a 39‑year‑old pre‑school teacher, fell victim to the summer spike of August. “I felt a fever, a sore throat, and a cough—nothing that made me feel like a full‑time emergency,” she says. Emboldened by the WHO’s guidance, she self‑treated with Panadol to get the fever under control.
“I didn’t feel sick enough to see a doctor, and I didn’t want to risk spreading the virus by going to a clinic,” Ms. Nguyen explains. “Now everyone’s self‑medicating, which reduces the load on hospitals. But just remember: don’t hoard meds; we’ll cough and fever away on their own.”
The moral of the story?
While a mild self‑medication trend eases the pressure on doctors and hospitals, it also leads to fluctuations on pharmacy shelves and a quirky new challenge: making sure no one is left in the dark about which Panadol variant works best for them.
We’ll keep an eye on the supply chain and bring you the latest updates as pharmacies fight to restock their shelves.
