Some pharmacies run out of sanitizers

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI) - With the outbreak threatening to become a global pandemic, fear has spread to drug stores and pharmacies. Many stores reporting they’re having a hard time keeping up with the demand for hand sanitizers.

CVS says that sales for hand sanitizers are brisk, but they’re also seeing an increase in sales for anti-bacterial soap and masks. The company is working with their product suppliers to help meet the increased demand for these items.

But pharmacy owner Leon Taraxenko says keeping personal hygiene products in stock is getting tougher.

“A lot of people coming in asking for masks, hand-sanitizers any kind of things. Asking for tamiflu. Things are becoming unavailable. I try to reorder them and they’re just not available from the suppliers.”

According to health experts hand sanitizers kill 99.9 percent of the germs on your hands. The effect can last up to 3 hours. Gel versions are better because they coat your hands more. Those with 60 to 95 percent ethyl alcohol are the best to kill bacteria.

CVS has also seen an increase in demand for the prescription antiviral medication tamiflu. They are working with their drug wholesaler partners to supply their pharmacies with the drug on a regular basis, of course, the priority for markets where there are a number of confirmed cases of the swine flu.