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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SABRIL | LUNDBECK PHARMACEUTICALS LLC | Anticipated shortage | 500MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 178697 |
BIPHENTIN | ELVIUM LIFE SCIENCES | Actual shortage | 30MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 180941 |
GD-DICLOFENAC/MISOPROSTOL 50 | GENMED A DIVISION OF PFIZER CANADA ULC | Actual shortage | 200MCG 50MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 180226 |
IDARUBICIN | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Anticipated shortage | 1MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 176929 |
YAZ PLUS | BAYER INC | Actual shortage | 0.451MG 0.451MG 0.02MG 3.00MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 172253 |
GENTAMICIN(E) | BAXTER CORPORATION | Actual shortage | 1.6MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 179918 |
JANUVIA | MERCK CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 100MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 182687 |
APO-VALPROIC ACID ORAL SOLUTION | APOTEX INC | Anticipated shortage | 250MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 182684 |
0.9% SODIUM CHLORIDE IRRIGATION, USP | BAXTER CORPORATION | Actual shortage | 900MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 181393 |
SORBITOL MANNITOL IRRIGATION | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Actual shortage | 5.4MG 27MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 180329 |
SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 9MG | New Report | 2023-01-30 | 182677 |
SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 9MG | New Report | 2023-01-30 | 182674 |
LACTATED RINGER'S INJECTION | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Actual shortage | 3.1MG 0.2MG 0.3MG 6MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 180326 |
STERILE WATER FOR IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 100% | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 172849 |
STERILE WATER FOR IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 100% | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 172843 |
STERILE WATER FOR IRRIGATION USP | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Anticipated shortage | 100% | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 172840 |
HEPARIN LEO INJ 1000UNIT/ML | LEO PHARMA INC | Actual shortage | 1000UNIT | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 181252 |
MINT-SPIRONOLACTONE | MINT PHARMACEUTICALS INC | Actual shortage | 25MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 169552 |
MINT-SPIRONOLACTONE | MINT PHARMACEUTICALS INC | Actual shortage | 100MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 169555 |
VISIPAQUE 270 | GE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC | Resolved | 550MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 161445 |
CORTEF | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Actual shortage | 20MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 178292 |
LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND EPINEPHRINE INJECTION USP | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Resolved | 0.01MG 20MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 164619 |
ZITHROMAX - PWS ORL 100MG/5ML | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Actual shortage | 100MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-30 | 176316 |
THYROGEN | SANOFI GENZYME, A DIVISION OF SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | Resolved | 0.9MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 172865 |
THIAMIJECT INJECTION - LIQ IM IV 100MG/ML | OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED | Actual shortage | 100MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 182152 |
PAXIL TAB 20MG | GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC | Actual shortage | 20MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 182602 |
ELOCTATE | SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | Resolved | 1500UNIT | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 179335 |
GLUCAGON | ELI LILLY CANADA INC | Resolved | 1MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 180461 |
METHOTREXATE SUBCUTANEOUS | ACCORD HEALTHCARE INC | Resolved | 20MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 181024 |
DEXAMETHASONE OMEGA UNIDOSE | OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED | Actual shortage | 10MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 182149 |
ACH-PRAVASTATIN | ACCORD HEALTHCARE INC | Resolved | 20MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-28 | 161340 |
ACH-TELMISARTAN HCTZ | ACCORD HEALTHCARE INC | Actual shortage | 12.5MG 80MG | New Report | 2023-01-27 | 182634 |
ACH-ROSUVASTATIN | ACCORD HEALTHCARE INC | Actual shortage | 10MG | New Report | 2023-01-27 | 182631 |
ACH-METHOTREXATE | ACCORD HEALTHCARE INC | Actual shortage | 2.5MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 175835 |
ACH-APIXABAN | ACCORD HEALTHCARE INC | Actual shortage | 5MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 175838 |
GLUCOPHAGE | SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | Actual shortage | 850MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 178385 |
ARAVA | SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | Resolved | 10MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 165914 |
ZARONTIN | SEARCHLIGHT PHARMA INC | Actual shortage | 250MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 172389 |
VIIBRYD | ABBVIE CORPORATION | Actual shortage | 10MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 178808 |
CEFAZOLIN FOR INJECTION | STERIMAX INC | Anticipated shortage | 10G | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 182608 |
CEFTAZIDIME FOR INJECTION BP | STERIMAX INC | Anticipated shortage | 1G | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 182605 |
ELOCTATE | SANOFI-AVENTIS CANADA INC | Resolved | 2000UNIT | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 172500 |
GRANISETRON HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION | OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED | Actual shortage | 1MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 179332 |
NEOSTIGMINE OMEGA | OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED | Actual shortage | 1MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 182155 |
DEXTROSE INJECTION | OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED | Anticipated shortage | 50% | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 182591 |
MORPHINE HP 50 - 50MG/ML USP | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Actual shortage | 50MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 169026 |
SANDOZ TAMSULOSIN CR | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Actual shortage | 0.4MG | New Report | 2023-01-27 | 182582 |
SANDOZ RISPERIDONE | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Actual shortage | 2MG | New Report | 2023-01-27 | 182578 |
CYTOMEL | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Actual shortage | 25MCG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 180924 |
SANDOZ OLANZAPINE | SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED | Actual shortage | 10.0MG | New Report | 2023-01-27 | 182571 |
Discontinuation Reports
Brand name | Company Name | Status | Strength | Update | Date Updated | View Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RUZURGI | MEDUNIK CANADA | Reversed | 10MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-27 | 156611 |
FORADIL DRY POWDER CAPSULES FOR INHALATION | NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC | Discontinued | 12MCG | Updated Report | 2023-01-25 | 172087 |
ONIVYDE | SERVIER CANADA INC | Reversed | 4.3MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-25 | 164803 |
IBAVYR | PENDOPHARM DIVISION OF PHARMASCIENCE INC | Discontinued | 200MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-20 | 182060 |
IBAVYR | PENDOPHARM DIVISION OF PHARMASCIENCE INC | Discontinued | 400MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-20 | 182029 |
GALLIUM | LANTHEUS MI CANADA INC | Discontinued | 74MBq | Updated Report | 2023-01-20 | 161428 |
BETOPTIC S | NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC | Discontinued | 0.25% | Updated Report | 2023-01-19 | 170389 |
GLUCAGON | ELI LILLY CANADA INC | To be discontinued | 1MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-14 | 165759 |
VIZIMPRO | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Discontinued | 15MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-14 | 180950 |
VIZIMPRO | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Discontinued | 30MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-14 | 180953 |
VIZIMPRO | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Discontinued | 45MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-14 | 180956 |
ENBREL | IMMUNEX CORPORATION | Discontinued | 1ML 25MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-13 | 168157 |
URSO | APTALIS PHARMA CANADA ULC | Discontinued | 250MG | Updated Report | 2023-01-06 | 177861 |
1.6% SODIUM CHLORDIE PROCESSING SOLUTION | BAXTER CORPORATION | Discontinued | 1.6G | Updated Report | 2023-01-01 | 178273 |
HEPSERA | GILEAD SCIENCES CANADA INC | Discontinued | 10MG | Updated Report | 2022-12-27 | 171243 |
ZOLEDRONIC ACID FOR INJECTION | JUNO PHARMACEUTICALS CORP. | Discontinued | 4MG | Updated Report | 2022-12-24 | 179368 |
FOSRENOL | TAKEDA CANADA INC | To be discontinued | 250MG | New Report | 2022-12-20 | 178916 |
DEPO-PROVERA | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Discontinued | 150MG | New Report | 2022-12-20 | 178960 |
DEPO-PROVERA | PFIZER CANADA ULC | Discontinued | 150MG | New Report | 2022-12-20 | 178953 |
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 20 MEQ IN 3.3% DEXTROSE AND 0.3% SODIUM CHLORIDE | ICU MEDICAL CANADA INC | Discontinued | 0.149G 0.3G 3.3G | Updated Report | 2022-12-15 | 148683 |