Allergy sufferers raid pharmacies: “Hay fever medicine left”

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Unfortunately, hay fever sufferers really are these days! And smash the doors of pharmacies across the country. “Currently two-thirds of our patients are with us because of hay fever,” says Natalia Blarer, Managing Director of Apotheke Europaallee in Zurich. “There are a lot of pollen allergy sufferers coming in since the weekend because they have the plague.” This year was busier than ever, “Suddenly it got warmer and everything bloomed.” Pollen load is currently very high on the entire northern side of the Alps.

Especially popular: anti-allergic tablets that do not tire you out. “But also eye drops and nasal spray that locally slow down the itch,” says Blarer. Conclusion: “Locally effective nasal spray and eye drops are scarce. Wholesalers were probably surprised there too,” he says.

The problem is that this year everything is condensed in a few days. And pharmacies are trying to ensure that no one has to go to the hospital with hay fever symptoms. “Sometimes you can use a prescription drug,” says Blarer.

Patients should stay open

In Aargau, too, people suffer from pollen. “Yes, there is currently a problem with hay fever medicines,” says Hans Jürg Engel (38), owner of the Toppharm municipal pharmacy in Wettingen AG. But this happens regularly and is normal for “seasonal stuff”. They were doing very well in the beginning, but gradually disappeared over weeks as it was impossible to predict what would actually be needed at the start of the season.

“This year’s hay fever season kicked off in hot January with hazelnuts and ash,” Engel recalls. It was quiet after that. “It wasn’t until mid-May that things were going really well with the lawn,” he says. Demand also increased accordingly. “It’s possible that you can’t find the product you’ve known for years,” he says. As a patient, you must remain open at this time. “Then we’ll find a solution.”

Most common items missing

Wholesaler Galenica also suffers from bottlenecks. “One of the most common hayfever products in our Amavita, Sun Store and Coop Vitality pharmacies is currently often missing,” says a spokesperson for Blick. However, there are still enough alternative products available.

Enea Martinelli, chief pharmacist of Bernese hospitals in Frutigen, Meiringen and Interlaken, gives an overview of prescription drugs. There, the situation is getting worse. More than a dozen preparations are currently only available to a limited extent. But: “If you’re flexible, there’s always a solution,” she says. “Sometimes you have to use a different preparation.”

Source :Blick