Drug shortages homepage

Welcome to Drug Shortages Canada, the website for reporting drug shortages and discontinuations in Canada. The Food and Drug Regulations require drug sellers to report when they are not able to meet demand for a product or when they stop selling a product. Information about the website and the regulations can be found on the About & Resources Page.

A shortage means, in respect of a drug, a situation in which the manufacturer to whom a document was issued under subsection C.01.014.2(1) that sets out the drug identification number assigned for the drug is unable to meet the demand for the drug.

A discontinuation means, in respect of a drug, a situation in which the manufacturer to whom a document was issued under subsection C.01.014.2(1) that sets out the drug identification number assigned for the drug, permanently ceases the sale of the drug.

Tier 3 drug shortages are those that have the greatest potential impact on Canada's drug supply and health care system. Impact is based on low availability of alternative supplies, ingredients or therapies. The Tier Assignment Committee (TAC), composed of federal and provincial/territorial governments, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders, makes recommendations on the tier assignment of drug shortages. The TAC assessment includes:

  • a review of the information gathered on the shortage issue, and
  • a thorough discussion on its potential impact and next steps.

Below are the newest and most recently updated Shortage and Discontinuation reports. Alternatively, please visit the Tier 3 page to see current Tier 3 Drug Shortages and associated shortage or discontinuation reports.

Drug pills

LEGEND

!!T3 denotes an actual Tier 3 shortage/discontinuation

!T3 denotes an anticipated Tier 3 shortage/discontinuation

Shortage Reports

Brand name Company Name Status Strength Update Date Updated View Report
GLYCOPYRROLATE INJECTION USP STERIMAX INC Actual shortage 0.4MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 181847
CEFAZOLIN FOR INJECTION STERIMAX INC Actual shortage 1G Updated Report 2023-03-29 183209
CYANOCOBALAMIN INJECTION USP STERIMAX INC Resolved 1000MCG Updated Report 2023-03-29 186103
MORPHINE SULFATE INJECTION EPIDURAL STERIMAX INC Actual shortage 0.5MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 185528
ARGATROBAN SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED Actual shortage 100MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 169150
PULMICORT NEBUAMP 0.125 MG/ML ASTRAZENECA CANADA INC Actual shortage 0.125MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 184729
STERILE WATER FOR INJECTION USP PFIZER CANADA ULC Resolved 100% Updated Report 2023-03-29 149461
CARBOPLATIN INJECTION BP PFIZER CANADA ULC Actual shortage 10MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 187124
CODEINE CONTIN 150MG CONTROLLED RELEASE TAB PURDUE PHARMA Actual shortage 150MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 188181
L-ARGININE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED Actual shortage 250MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 188188

Discontinuation Reports

Brand name Company Name Status Strength Update Date Updated View Report
OMNISCAN GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC Discontinued 287MG Updated Report 2023-03-25 182742
QUININE - ODAN ODAN LABORATORIES LTD Discontinued 200MG New Report 2023-03-22 187637
FLAGYL ODAN LABORATORIES LTD Discontinued 500MG New Report 2023-03-22 187634
NOLVADEX-D TAB 20MG ASTRAZENECA CANADA INC Discontinued 20MG Updated Report 2023-03-22 170947
OMNIPAQUE 240 GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC Discontinued 518MG Updated Report 2023-03-18 182760