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
CARBOPLATIN INJECTION BP PFIZER CANADA ULC Actual shortage 10MG Updated Report 2023-03-30 187124
SODIUM ACETATE-OMEGA OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED Resolved 328MG Updated Report 2023-03-30 187387
DEXAMETHASONE OMEGA UNIDOSE OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED Actual shortage 10MG Updated Report 2023-03-30 187964
DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED Actual shortage 5MG Updated Report 2023-03-30 187972
COSOPT PRESERVATIVE-FREE ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES Actual shortage 5MG 20MG Updated Report 2023-03-30 188222
BREVICON 1/35 TABLETS (21-DAY PACK) PFIZER CANADA ULC Actual shortage 0.035MG 1MG Updated Report 2023-03-30 188193
SYNJARDY BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM (CANADA) LTD LTEE Avoided shortage 1000MG 12.5MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 187800
CEFTRIAXONE SODIUM FOR INJECTION BP PFIZER CANADA ULC Anticipated shortage 1G New Report 2023-03-29 188239
DEFEROXAMINE MESYLATE FOR INJECTION PFIZER CANADA ULC Anticipated shortage 500MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 188236
AMIODARONE HYDROCHLORIDE FOR INJECTION SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED Resolved 50MG Updated Report 2023-03-29 172164

Discontinuation Reports

Brand name Company Name Status Strength Update Date Updated View Report
HIBERIX GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC Discontinued 10MCG Updated Report 2023-03-29 175258
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