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.

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 |