As the brutal winter flu season and rising COVID-19 cases plague the country, major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths are facing yet another shortage of a household staple – Lemsip.

Lemsip–which is manufactured by UK company Reckitt Benckiser–contains paracetamol and phenylephrine to treat cold and flu symptoms, including body aches, sore throat, headache, and nasal congestion.

The popular cold and flu remedy is listed as ‘out of stock’ on the Woolworths website, while Coles shoppers report empty shelves in stores.

Coles and Woolworths confirmed they were running low on the product.

'With winter well and truly here, we’re seeing increased demand for products that can help ease cold and flu symptoms,' a spokeswoman for Coles said.

'Unfortunately, we are also currently experiencing supply chain issues for Lemsip, which means customers may not be able to find this product on our shelves. We understand the frustration for customers and are working hard with our supplier to improve availability as quickly as possible.'

Are Lemsip products now considered a rare commodity? We’re kidding! Source: Yahoo! News​

Woolworths explained they still have some Lemsip but availability will vary from store to store.

'The early start to the flu season has resulted in higher levels of demand for cold and flu products, such as Lemsip,' a Woolworths spokesman said.

'We’re working closely with suppliers to maintain regular and consistent deliveries of cold and flu stock to supermarkets. We encourage everyone to continue shopping as they normally would and only buy what they need.'

Hundreds of disgruntled shoppers have taken to social media to share their frustration about the lack of essential items on supermarket shelves.

'All the local shops are sold out of Lemsip, and the local Woolies is rationing tissues,' one user declared on Twitter.

Another warned: 'It’s happening again – supermarket aisles across Central QLD are running out of toilet paper!’

While a third shared that she wasn’t able to get her hands on Lemsip either, she was moved by a touching note that a Woolworths team member left her.

Source: @mithril_mayhem​

Shoppers have also raised concerns about shortages of other cold and flu products including paracetamol and lozenges.

In an effort to address this issue, Woolworths revealed that it was working 'closely with suppliers.'

'Given the recent cold snap and early start to the flu season, there’s quite a lot of demand for a range of medicinal and paper goods products including cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges and tissues,' a spokesperson said.

'While customers might notice that the availability of some of their preferred brands may be limited, we continue to offer a wide range of alternatives across these ranges.'

Supermarket shelves are stripped bare of basic necessities. Source: @wpakalu (Twitter)​

Coles also added that it’s an industry-wide issue.

'Customers may notice that some stores might not have their usual brands of facial tissues in stock at the moment,' a spokesperson said.

'We want to assure customers that there will be enough stock to get them through this flu season. We are encouraging shoppers to be flexible if the products they would usually purchase are not available.'

According to the Federal Government’s Australian Influenza Surveillance Report, the number of influenza cases have increased beyond the five-year average since mid-April.

Since mid-April, there have been 1,323 influenza-related hospital admissions reported across hospital sites, 6.5 per cent of which were admitted to the ICU.

A concerning total of 113 deaths due to influenza have been reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) so far this year.

COVID cases are also soaring, with over 50,000 cases in the past 24 hours, prompting calls for Australians to return to remote work set-ups.

Have you noticed whether your local supermarket is running out of Lemsip or other basic household necessities? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

 

[Ricci]

What a sad and sorry state. We need to batten down the hatches again, as much as this goes against the grain, it seems that it's the only way to keep people safe. I'm beginning to wonder if we will ever get back to the freedoms we enjoyed before all this hoohaa took over.

 

[MIZMAC]

As the brutal winter flu season and rising COVID-19 cases plague the country, major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths are facing yet another shortage of a household staple – Lemsip.

Lemsip–which is manufactured by UK company Reckitt Benckiser–contains paracetamol and phenylephrine to treat cold and flu symptoms, including body aches, sore throat, headache, and nasal congestion.

The popular cold and flu remedy is listed as ‘out of stock’ on the Woolworths website, while Coles shoppers report empty shelves in stores.

Coles and Woolworths confirmed they were running low on the product.

'With winter well and truly here, we’re seeing increased demand for products that can help ease cold and flu symptoms,' a spokeswoman for Coles said.

'Unfortunately, we are also currently experiencing supply chain issues for Lemsip, which means customers may not be able to find this product on our shelves. We understand the frustration for customers and are working hard with our supplier to improve availability as quickly as possible.'

Are Lemsip products now considered a rare commodity? We’re kidding! Source: Yahoo! News​

Woolworths explained they still have some Lemsip but availability will vary from store to store.

'The early start to the flu season has resulted in higher levels of demand for cold and flu products, such as Lemsip,' a Woolworths spokesman said.

'We’re working closely with suppliers to maintain regular and consistent deliveries of cold and flu stock to supermarkets. We encourage everyone to continue shopping as they normally would and only buy what they need.'

Hundreds of disgruntled shoppers have taken to social media to share their frustration about the lack of essential items on supermarket shelves.

'All the local shops are sold out of Lemsip, and the local Woolies is rationing tissues,' one user declared on Twitter.

Another warned: 'It’s happening again – supermarket aisles across Central QLD are running out of toilet paper!’

While a third shared that she wasn’t able to get her hands on Lemsip either, she was moved by a touching note that a Woolworths team member left her.

Source: @mithril_mayhem​

Shoppers have also raised concerns about shortages of other cold and flu products including paracetamol and lozenges.

In an effort to address this issue, Woolworths revealed that it was working 'closely with suppliers.'

'Given the recent cold snap and early start to the flu season, there’s quite a lot of demand for a range of medicinal and paper goods products including cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges and tissues,' a spokesperson said.

'While customers might notice that the availability of some of their preferred brands may be limited, we continue to offer a wide range of alternatives across these ranges.'

Supermarket shelves are stripped bare of basic necessities. Source: @wpakalu (Twitter)​

Coles also added that it’s an industry-wide issue.

'Customers may notice that some stores might not have their usual brands of facial tissues in stock at the moment,' a spokesperson said.

'We want to assure customers that there will be enough stock to get them through this flu season. We are encouraging shoppers to be flexible if the products they would usually purchase are not available.'

According to the Federal Government’s Australian Influenza Surveillance Report, the number of influenza cases have increased beyond the five-year average since mid-April.

Since mid-April, there have been 1,323 influenza-related hospital admissions reported across hospital sites, 6.5 per cent of which were admitted to the ICU.

A concerning total of 113 deaths due to influenza have been reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) so far this year.

COVID cases are also soaring, with over 50,000 cases in the past 24 hours, prompting calls for Australians to return to remote work set-ups.

Have you noticed whether your local supermarket is running out of Lemsip or other basic household necessities? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

use honey and lemon juice, an oldie but goodie. Much cheaper too.

 

[Stanier123]

It is just as effective to take paracetamol and drink a hot natural lemon juice with honey. It will also save a load of your hard earned Cash. If you have nasal congestion then a bowl of hot water with some eucalyptus oil is useful. Put you head above with a towel to contain the water vapours. Be careful not to burn yourself.

 

[Liz]

I drink honey, lemon and ginger tea when I have a cold or infection. Also lemon and honey is the old standby and Vicks vaporub both on your chest and feet and in hot water work as a vapor for me. Oldies but goodies.

 

[gordon1940]

use honey and lemon juice, an oldie but goodie. Much cheaper too.

Yes it works. I put the Lemon Juice, Honey, an Aspro Clear in a Mug then add Hot water and stir. Sip slowly. A good "Oldie"

 

[Ricci]

I was brought up on hot Blackcurrant juice when I was feeling poorly. It still makes me feel better when I'm ill.

 

[Ezzy]

As the brutal winter flu season and rising COVID-19 cases plague the country, major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths are facing yet another shortage of a household staple – Lemsip.

Lemsip–which is manufactured by UK company Reckitt Benckiser–contains paracetamol and phenylephrine to treat cold and flu symptoms, including body aches, sore throat, headache, and nasal congestion.

The popular cold and flu remedy is listed as ‘out of stock’ on the Woolworths website, while Coles shoppers report empty shelves in stores.

Coles and Woolworths confirmed they were running low on the product.

'With winter well and truly here, we’re seeing increased demand for products that can help ease cold and flu symptoms,' a spokeswoman for Coles said.

'Unfortunately, we are also currently experiencing supply chain issues for Lemsip, which means customers may not be able to find this product on our shelves. We understand the frustration for customers and are working hard with our supplier to improve availability as quickly as possible.'

Are Lemsip products now considered a rare commodity? We’re kidding! Source: Yahoo! News​

Woolworths explained they still have some Lemsip but availability will vary from store to store.

'The early start to the flu season has resulted in higher levels of demand for cold and flu products, such as Lemsip,' a Woolworths spokesman said.

'We’re working closely with suppliers to maintain regular and consistent deliveries of cold and flu stock to supermarkets. We encourage everyone to continue shopping as they normally would and only buy what they need.'

Hundreds of disgruntled shoppers have taken to social media to share their frustration about the lack of essential items on supermarket shelves.

'All the local shops are sold out of Lemsip, and the local Woolies is rationing tissues,' one user declared on Twitter.

Another warned: 'It’s happening again – supermarket aisles across Central QLD are running out of toilet paper!’

While a third shared that she wasn’t able to get her hands on Lemsip either, she was moved by a touching note that a Woolworths team member left her.

Source: @mithril_mayhem​

Shoppers have also raised concerns about shortages of other cold and flu products including paracetamol and lozenges.

In an effort to address this issue, Woolworths revealed that it was working 'closely with suppliers.'

'Given the recent cold snap and early start to the flu season, there’s quite a lot of demand for a range of medicinal and paper goods products including cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges and tissues,' a spokesperson said.

'While customers might notice that the availability of some of their preferred brands may be limited, we continue to offer a wide range of alternatives across these ranges.'

Supermarket shelves are stripped bare of basic necessities. Source: @wpakalu (Twitter)​

Coles also added that it’s an industry-wide issue.

'Customers may notice that some stores might not have their usual brands of facial tissues in stock at the moment,' a spokesperson said.

'We want to assure customers that there will be enough stock to get them through this flu season. We are encouraging shoppers to be flexible if the products they would usually purchase are not available.'

According to the Federal Government’s Australian Influenza Surveillance Report, the number of influenza cases have increased beyond the five-year average since mid-April.

Since mid-April, there have been 1,323 influenza-related hospital admissions reported across hospital sites, 6.5 per cent of which were admitted to the ICU.

A concerning total of 113 deaths due to influenza have been reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) so far this year.

COVID cases are also soaring, with over 50,000 cases in the past 24 hours, prompting calls for Australians to return to remote work set-ups.

Have you noticed whether your local supermarket is running out of Lemsip or other basic household necessities? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

I would have thought that as Flu season is a 'yearly event' any company selling these products would make sure there is enough stock to cover this period.