Hay fever medicine shortage, retailers suspect supermarket supply prioritised

Retailers are experiencing more medicines shortages across wholesale as suppliers fail to meet demand from hayfever sufferers. 

In messages sent to stores, seen by Better Retailing, Nisa told retailers temperatures exceeding 24°C meant they would be unable to deliver medicines to stores from 10-14 June. 

Similarly, one retailer, who asked not to be named, told Better Retailing they had noticed gaps in the category at their wholesale depot. “It’s not just hayfever tablets, it’s medicines across the board,” they added. “It’s frustrating, because my cash and carry has no availability, but the nearest Asda has lots of medicinal products. 

“I’m getting a lot of demand and am having to go to different wholesalers. Are the suppliers favouring supermarkets?”