The shortage of children's medicines across Canada, amid a wave of respiratory infections, has forced some parents in Ontario to head south of the border in search of solutions.

At Meds, a pharmacy in Etobicoke, Ontario, pharmacist Dave Hughes told CTV News Toronto that they see an average of five to 20 sick children daily. Two separate parents also said in interviews that they planned to travel or have traveled to Buffalo, New York, seeking relief for their children.

Also, one woman told CTV News Toronto: "My granddaughter caught a lung infection, and the doctor asked us to give her Tylenol as she was suffering from a really bad headache and cough, but we could not find the medicine or even an alternative, so I will go to Buffalo this Saturday."

Canada's Ministry of Health blames the shortage of analgesics, or pain relief medicines, on unprecedented demand, while many pharmacists say there has been a supply shortage for months.

This week, federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the drug shortage is due to the surge in respiratory illnesses, adding: "The demand for painkillers has risen. We now understand well that the reason is the severe viruses affecting our children across Canada."

However, Toronto pharmacist Amir Khila says the supply has been dwindling for months. Meanwhile, Canada's Ministry of Health said manufacturers are increasing production, with some producing "at record levels." It also said it recently approved the "exceptional" importation of ibuprofen from the United States and is working to do the same for acetaminophen from Australia, to supply hospitals.

Canada's Ministry of Health added that it is also working to do the same for community pharmacies and consumers, although the agency did not provide a timeline for when this will happen.