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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZOCOR | ORGANON CANADA INC. | Avoided shortage | 10MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 160662 |
REMERON RD | ORGANON CANADA INC. | Actual shortage | 30MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 157450 |
STERILE WATER FOR IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Resolved | 100% | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 160466 |
SODIUM CHLORIDE IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 9MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 160460 |
DEXTROSE INJECTION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 50MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 159223 |
DEXTROSE INJECTION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Actual shortage | 50MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 162611 |
SODIUM CHLORIDE IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 9MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 160469 |
STERILE WATER FOR IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Avoided shortage | 100% | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 160034 |
BETASERON | BAYER INC | Avoided shortage | 0.3MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 162399 |
SODIUM BICARBONATE INJECTION USP | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Anticipated shortage | 84MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-28 | 163568 |
Discontinuation Reports
Brand name | Company Name | Status | Strength | Update | Date Updated | View Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VENTOLIN NEBULES P.F. - 2.5MG/2.5ML | GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC | Discontinued | 2.5MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-24 | 130633 |
SANDOZ ESOMEPRAZOLE | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Discontinued | 40MG | New Report | 2022-06-23 | 163310 |
VIBERZI | ALLERGAN INC | Reversed | 100MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-22 | 157159 |
PROPYL-THYRACIL | PALADIN LABS INC. | Discontinued | 50MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-21 | 101076 |
PROPYL-THYRACIL | PALADIN LABS INC. | Discontinued | 100MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-21 | 107174 |
CLINIMIX E | BAXTER CORPORATION | To be discontinued | 205MG 261MG 58.5MG 24MG 16.6G 365MG 280MG 290MG 200MG 300MG 290MG 240MG 210MG 90MG 1.04G 575MG 340MG 250MG 515MG 20MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-20 | 118607 |
STAXYN | BAYER INC | To be discontinued | 10MG | New Report | 2022-06-20 | 163103 |
SANDOZ TRAMADOL | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Discontinued | 50MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-18 | 163005 |
MILRINONE LACTATE INJECTION | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Discontinued | 1MG | Updated Report | 2022-06-18 | 163000 |
ISOPTO CARPINE | NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC | To be discontinued | 4% | Updated Report | 2022-06-16 | 160361 |