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
ROCURONIUM BROMIDE INJECTION SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED Resolved 10MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 187451
HUMATROPE ELI LILLY CANADA INC Actual shortage 12MG 3.15ML Updated Report 2023-03-23 168052
HUMATROPE ELI LILLY CANADA INC Actual shortage 24MG 3.15ML Updated Report 2023-03-23 168055
CEREBYX SEARCHLIGHT PHARMA INC Actual shortage 75MG New Report 2023-03-23 187772
OMNIPAQUE 240 GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC Actual shortage 518MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 160528
!!T3 CLAVULIN 200 GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC Actual shortage 28.5MG 200MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 171572
BOOSTRIX GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC Actual shortage 2.5MCG 8MCG 8MCG 20UNIT 2UNIT Updated Report 2023-03-23 179831
ADVAIR 500 DISKUS GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC Actual shortage 500MCG 50MCG New Report 2023-03-23 187763
IRINOTECAN HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION USP PFIZER CANADA ULC Anticipated shortage 20MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 187760
DUKORAL VALNEVA SWEDEN AB Actual shortage 31250000000CELLS 31250000000CELLS 31250000000CELLS 1MG 31250000000CELLS Updated Report 2023-03-23 182277
BIACNA TOPICAL GEL BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. Anticipated shortage 0.025% 1.2% New Report 2023-03-23 187755
QVAR BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. Resolved 100MCG Updated Report 2023-03-23 177248
NIDAGEL BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. Actual shortage 0.75% Updated Report 2023-03-23 183891
CUPRIMINE BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. Avoided shortage 250MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 186886
BENZACLIN BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. Avoided shortage 5% 1% Updated Report 2023-03-23 179119
DIASTAT BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. Actual shortage 15MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 177261
POTASSIUM PHOSPHATES SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED Actual shortage 236MG 224MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 168553
SODIUM PHOSPHATES INJECTION USP SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED Actual shortage 268MG 276MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 168559
TEMPRA DOUBLE STRENGTH CHILDREN'S SYRUP PALADIN LABS INC. Actual shortage 160MG New Report 2023-03-23 187735
DEXEDRINE SPANSULE SRC 15MG PALADIN LABS INC. Actual shortage 15MG Updated Report 2023-03-23 181744

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