Shelves that are usually filled with baby formula are becoming increasingly bare at pharmacies in Richmond due to the closing of a large manufacturing facility in the United States. That is the case at the Shoppers Drug Mart at Richmond Center, where almost all baby formula items are gone.
The situation at London Drugs on Westminster Highway was slightly better, but half of the shelves for baby formula in that store were also empty. Blue signs were seen hanging on the shelves of that store, stating, "Due to limited supply, baby formula is limited to 1 per customer."
Amy Bown, speaking on behalf of London Drugs, told Richmond News that due to the high demand, the current limit is one unit for in-store and online purchases. She added that they hope to increase limits to two units for in-store and online purchases by the middle of June.
Many stores are limiting purchases of customers
Richmond customers can buy two baby formula items at a time on Shoppers' online store. Many stores, however, are limiting purchases to dissuade worried parents from panic buying and hoarding, which would put even more pressure on the supply chain.
Benjamin Liu, a customer who used to go to Superstore and Walmart for cheaper baby formula, said he is getting used to the shortage now. Liu noted that almost every time there are discounts, half of the formula items are gone when he gets there.
When Liu could not get his preferred baby formula for his one-year-old daughter, he would go online and purchase the product from overseas. However, there was some delay with his recent online purchase, with Liu saying it took a month to get his last order from Germany.
Baby formula supply challenges are a broader industry issue, with several B.C. retailers starting to put limits simultaneously. The limits in purchases come as a large baby formula manufacturing plant in the United States was temporarily shut down, causing a global shortage of the much-needed product, according to CNBC.
Formula shortage expected to ease soon with the reopening of the Abbott plant
According to London Drugs, the limits on baby formula will likely be in place until this fall, with supply disruptions expected to be resolved by that time. Liu said he feels lucky that he still has one and a half bottles of baby formula at home. That will be enough to feed his baby girl for half a month.
Bown said they encourage customers to speak to their doctor or pharmacist to discuss alternative solutions for accessing specialty formulas. There is good news, though, for customers with Abbott set to reopen their Sturgis, Michigan plant this June 4.
The first batches of the new formula are expected to be available to consumers on or around June 20, with Abbott confirming to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it will start with EleCare and other specialty metabolic formulas, according to Fox Business.
