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
ASMANEX TWISTHALER ORGANON CANADA INC. Actual shortage 100MCG Updated Report 2023-03-31 179906
CYTOVENE CHEPLAPHARM ARZNEIMITTEL GMBH Actual shortage 500MG Updated Report 2023-03-31 184528
ONE-ALPHA CHEPLAPHARM ARZNEIMITTEL GMBH Actual shortage 2MCG Updated Report 2023-03-31 180961
KEVZARA SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC Anticipated shortage 200MG New Report 2023-03-31 188465
FLAGYL SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC Resolved 10% Updated Report 2023-03-31 186612
!!T3 FLUDARA SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC Actual shortage 10MG Updated Report 2023-03-31 167783
GLUCOPHAGE SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC Actual shortage 850MG Updated Report 2023-03-31 178385
METHOTREXATE INJECTION USP PFIZER CANADA ULC Anticipated shortage 25MG Updated Report 2023-03-31 188454
DEXTROSE INJECTION OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED Actual shortage 50% Updated Report 2023-03-31 182591
DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED Actual shortage 5MG Updated Report 2023-03-31 187972

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