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
APO-ROSUVASTATIN APOTEX INC Actual shortage 40MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 187730
APO-AMIODARONE TABLETS APOTEX INC Actual shortage 200MG New Report 2023-03-23 187727
APO-METHYLPHENIDATE APOTEX INC Actual shortage 10MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 187724
APO-CITALOPRAM APOTEX INC Actual shortage 40MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 187721
APO-LEVOCARB-TAB 25MG/100MG APOTEX INC Actual shortage 100MG 25MG New Report 2023-03-23 187718
TRI-CIRA 28 APOTEX INC Actual shortage 0.035MG 0.25MG 0.035MG 0.215MG 0.035MG 0.18MG New Report 2023-03-23 187715
APO-ALLOPURINOL APOTEX INC Actual shortage 200MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 185028
APO-LEVETIRACETAM APOTEX INC Actual shortage 750MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 183477
APO-OXYBUTYNIN APOTEX INC Actual shortage 5MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 183474
APO-OXYBUTYNIN APOTEX INC Actual shortage 5MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 187229

Discontinuation Reports

Brand name Company Name Status Strength Update Date Updated View Report
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
GLUCAGON ELI LILLY CANADA INC To be discontinued 1MG Updated Report 2023-03-14 165759
ZOFRAN ODT NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC Discontinued 4MG New Report 2023-03-14 187062
ZOFRAN ODT NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC Discontinued 8MG Updated Report 2023-03-14 177540
STRATTERA ELI LILLY CANADA INC To be discontinued 40MG Updated Report 2023-03-01 171488
FOSRENOL TAKEDA CANADA INC To be discontinued 250MG Updated Report 2023-02-24 178916
OMNIPAQUE 180 GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC Discontinued 388MG Updated Report 2023-02-22 182757