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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CETROTIDE | EMD SERONO, A DIVISION OF EMD INC., CANADA | Anticipated shortage | 0.25MG | New Report | 2022-05-21 | 161102 |
TECHNETIUM TC 99M TSC | GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC | Resolved | 2MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 156500 |
TEVA-BETAHISTINE | TEVA CANADA LIMITED | Resolved | 8MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 160986 |
TEVA-BETAHISTINE | TEVA CANADA LIMITED | Resolved | 16MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 160989 |
ELIGARD | TOLMAR INTERNATIONAL LTD. | Resolved | 7.5MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 152360 |
INCLUNOX HP | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Resolved | 150MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 156450 |
DYSPORT AESTHETIC | IPSEN BIOPHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC | Resolved | 300UNIT | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 159136 |
APO-METHYLPHENIDATE ER | APOTEX INC | Actual shortage | 54MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 159725 |
CORTROSYN INJ 0.25MG | AMPHASTAR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | Actual shortage | 0.25MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-21 | 161043 |
OMNIPAQUE 240 | GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC | Avoided shortage | 518MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 160522 |
ADMELOG | SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | Actual shortage | 100UNIT | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 161083 |
CELEBREX | UPJOHN CANADA ULC | Actual shortage | 200MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 157914 |
PROCHLORAZINE | AA PHARMA INC | Actual shortage | 10MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 159741 |
PEN-VK | AA PHARMA INC | Actual shortage | 300MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 158837 |
BIPHENTIN | ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES | Actual shortage | 15MG | New Report | 2022-05-20 | 161067 |
BIPHENTIN | ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES | Actual shortage | 10MG | New Report | 2022-05-20 | 161064 |
BIPHENTIN | ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES | Actual shortage | 30MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 159388 |
BIPHENTIN | ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES | Actual shortage | 20MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-20 | 159744 |
FOQUEST | ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES | Actual shortage | 45MG | New Report | 2022-05-20 | 161057 |
HYDROMORPH CONTIN-CONTROLLED RELEASE CAP - 24MG | PURDUE PHARMA | Actual shortage | 24MG | New Report | 2022-05-20 | 161054 |
Discontinuation Reports
Brand name | Company Name | Status | Strength | Update | Date Updated | View Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMOVANE | SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | To be discontinued | 5.0MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-16 | 160688 |
HEPTOVIR | GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC | To be discontinued | 5MG | New Report | 2022-05-13 | 160503 |
HEPTOVIR | GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC | To be discontinued | 100MG | New Report | 2022-05-13 | 160500 |
APO-BICALUTAMIDE | APOTEX INC | Discontinued | 50MG | Updated Report | 2022-05-13 | 157376 |
ISOPTO CARPINE | NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC | To be discontinued | 4% | New Report | 2022-05-11 | 160361 |