Pinkeye medication in short supply on P.E.I.
The PEI Pharmacists Association says many Island pharmacies have run out of non-prescription treatment for conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye.
Erin MacKenzie is the association's executive director and says polysporin ointment and eye drops used to treat the infection are on backorder.
She says there's no indication when orders will be filled.
Other treatment options are available, but MacKenzie says they require a trip to the doctor.
"Some of the more mild pinkeyes are going to go away on their own," she explained.
"But if it is a true conjunctivitis that requires treatment, the physician can prescribe an antibiotic but that does require a trip to the physician's office."
P.E.I. pharmacists can now prescribe medication for 30 minor ailments, but MacKenzie says eye infections are not on the list.
She says frequent handwashing is important to prevent the spread of pinkeye.
