Spike in fires sends residents rushing for respiratory meds

- by Anesta Henry March 22, 2023

By Anesta Henry

Pharmacies have recorded an increase in the sale of products to treat upper respiratory issues as Barbadians contend with smoke and ash from cane and grass fires that have been occurring across the country.
President of the Barbados Pharmaceutical Society (BPS) Yolan Pantin told Barbados TODAY on Tuesday that in recent weeks, there has been an increase in the number of people going to pharmacies to purchase over-the-counter medications and have prescriptions filled, as they seek relief from sinus issues and allergic reactions.
“Obviously, because of the situation we have been seeing more people passing through. It depends on what the doctor has written on the prescription and if they are looking for simple things like Histal, antihistamines, and maybe some nasal sprays, depending on how severely they are being affected by the present conditions.
“They are coming with allergies, depending on how long they leave their symptoms, and some persons will receive courses of antibiotics because respiratory tract infection has occurred and that is something that only the doctor deals with,” Pantin said.
She warned Barbadians experiencing respiratory tract infections to treat their symptoms as soon as they show up.
Additionally, Pantin said, individuals should seek medical attention if they do not get relief using over-the-counter medication after three days.
She said the Otrivin nasal spray, in particular, should not be used longer than three days, as doing so could cause “rebound rhinitis where they would actually be hooked on having to use it continuously”.
“If after three days and they find that their symptoms really haven’t dissipated they really should see a physician,” the pharmacist recommended.
Pantin said pharmacies currently have adequate stock to meet the present demand.
While some pharmacies are out of allergy and sinus tablets, people battling with sinusitis can also use the multi-symptom tablets for the time being, since they are basically the same medication, just slightly different strengths.
“Right now, as far as the oral preparations and the nasal sprays that are over-the-counter are concerned, we do have adequate stock on the island,” she said.
Pantin advised those known to suffer from sinusitis, allergies, or asthma who are working in areas affected by the smoke and ash, to resume wearing masks.
“A couple of my customers that have passed through have actually purchased masks because they work in areas close to the smoke and the ash and so on. So, because they do suffer from respiratory problems – some are asthmatics as well – they have chosen to resume wearing masks in order to help with not getting as much smoke inhaled into their lungs and their upper respiratory tract,” she said.
“So, for safety and for your own health, for persons who are compromised with respiratory illnesses of any form, I would advise them until this really dissipates in another two weeks, or unless we get a heavy rainfall, they should resume wearing the masks.”
On Monday, during an interview with Barbados TODAY, Chief Medical Officer Dr The Most Honourable Kenneth George urged asthmatics and people who suffer from allergies and sinus complications to take all precautionary measures to protect themselves amid an increase in cane and grass fires.
While indicating that he had not received reports from polyclinics or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) regarding an alarming increase in persons reporting to those facilities complaining of health issues due to the environmental hazard, Dr George supported the Ministry of Education’s decision to closely monitor affected schools to protect students and teachers from potentially harmful effects.
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