Canada Faces Critical Shortage of Common Pain Medications
Supply Disruption Expected to Last Until Early August
Canadians are grappling with a significant scarcity of widely prescribed pain relievers, including popular opioid-based medications like Percocet and Tylenol No. 3. Health Canada announced last week that manufacturing issues and a surge in demand are the primary drivers behind the critical shortage, which could persist through the summer.
Nationwide Supply Concerns
The scarcity affects opioids containing acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone. Health Canada has confirmed the issue, stating that efforts are underway to address the situation. The department is actively communicating with healthcare providers, provincial and territorial governments, and distributors to coordinate information sharing and manage the limited supply.
Health officials are also collaborating with manufacturers and other stakeholders to monitor the availability of these crucial medications and explore strategies to improve access. In a related development, the Canadian Pharmacists Association is implementing measures to manage the limited quantities available.
“Usually pharmacists have to dispense the amount that is being written on the prescription unless it is being limited by the drug plan. In a situation like these, pharmacists are documenting on their prescriptions that we are only supplying 30 days right now because we don’t have enough supply.”
—Sadaf Faisal, Senior Director of Professional Affairs at the Canadian Pharmacists Association
This situation mirrors past drug shortages faced by other countries. For instance, the United States experienced widespread shortages of various medications, including chemotherapy drugs and ADHD treatments, in 2023, impacting patient care and healthcare system operations (Reuters, 2023).
Pharmacists Implementing Controls
Pharmacists are now documenting prescription dispensing limits, typically capping dispensed amounts at a 30-day supply due to the ongoing scarcity. This practice deviates from the norm, where pharmacists usually dispense the full quantity prescribed by a doctor.
The collaborative response from Health Canada and the Canadian Pharmacists Association aims to mitigate the impact of this supply disruption on patients requiring pain management across the country.
