Tesco, Co-Op and Waitrose running out of Lemsip, Covonia and Benylin

Big brands such as Covonia, Lemsip, and Benylin are among the products missing from the shelves.

Kitsons Pharmacy on Broad Street, Worcester, is among those experiencing shortages.

Operations manager Jivan Sohal explained that a combination of increased demand and supply issues have caused the problem.

“We are seeing significant increased demand for cold and flu medicines and there is currently disruption with obtaining some big brands from our suppliers,” he said.

“Currently, we are seeing supply issues with Lemsip, Robitussin, Day and Night Nurse, Covonia, Benylin. Some of which have not been available for some time.

“This follows on from a year of many supply issues, ranging from HRT medication shortages, antibiotic medication shortages, but also shortages to very common medications like omeprazole."

Shelves in Tesco Warndon (Image: Newsquest)

In December, Mr Sohal raised concerns about a shortage of medications, including antibiotics used to treat infections such as Strep A.

Now, it appears that cold and flu remedies are experiencing similar stock shortages.

Mr Sohal admitted that he doesn’t know if this is a problem nationally but that he has been assured by suppliers that every effort is being made to address it.

He said: “At the busiest time of the year for cold and flu remedies, it is another headache to add to the list.

“We have been told that manufacturers are ‘doing all it can’ amid reports of shortages.

“This could be a national shortage, but as of yet, we are unsure.”

Empty shelves in Waitrose (Image: Newsquest)

A Worcester News reporter visited several supermarkets in and around the city to see if they were experiencing similar issues.

The Tesco superstores in St Peter’s and Warndon both had large gaps on their shelves.

At the St Peter’s Drive branch, an “out of stock” sticker had been placed on the sign for Lemsip cold and flu capsules x16.

The sticker stated that the next delivery for this product would be Wednesday, February 8.

An identical sticker could be found in the Warndon supermarket, off Mill Wood Drive.

At Co-Op, on Ambleside Drive, Lemsip Max blackcurrant sachets and several other products were “sold out”, with no date given for their return.

And at Waitrose on London Road, a 180ml bottle of Covonia chesty cough was replaced by a “temporarily unavailable sticker”.

Despite the sparsity of shelves, a spokesperson for Waitrose says they are well-stocked.

"We have a strong supply of cough sweets, lozenges and medicines available for customers in our Worcester store," they said.

"If customers are unable to find a specific branded product, please speak to our Partners who can help find a suitable alternative." 

Several products at Co-Op had been replaced by sold out stickers (Image: Newsquest)

Tesco and Co-Op have both been contacted for further information.