Cough syrup shortage hits some flu-stricken areas

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (WPVI) -- The flu epidemic continues across the country - and now a new twist - shortage of prescription cough syrup in some areas.

So far, California and Texas seem to be the primary states feeling the shortage.

But it is a sign of the difficult cold and flu season we're having.

Both neighborhood and chain pharmacies in California are running out of Adult generic cough medicines with codeine.

Some patients have waited more than a week for their medication; some pharmacies don't expect new supplies until early February.

Pharmacies which can get the cough syrup are often selling only 4 ounces at a time.

Doctors say the shortage is a matter of economics, and can happen with other generics.

"There's not much of an incentive for generic manufacturers to keep large stocks of reserves of medications, so they're cutting it a lot closer to when there's a big surge in demand things just run out," says Dr. Paul Abramson, a family physician with the My Doctor Medical Group in San Francisco.

Drug store chains are moving supplies from other areas to California, but also trying to be careful they don't create shortages elsewhere.