There’s a scarcity of some commonly-prescribed painkillers in Canada, as corporations that provide them take care of manufacturing disruptions and elevated demand, in accordance with a discover revealed on Well being Canada’s web site.
The drugs in query are acetaminophen with codeine (typically referred to as Tylenol 3) and acetaminophen with oxycodone (typically offered below the model identify Percocet).
Because of the scarcity, Well being Canada’s discover mentioned these medicine have grow to be more durable to get and “might not all the time be obtainable.”
This is what you should know.
Manufacturing troubles trigger ripple results
Well being Canada’s discover says the scarcity of acetaminophen with codeine is linked to manufacturing disruptions reported by Teva Canada Restricted, leading to elevated demand and shortages reported by Apotex Inc and Laboratoire Riva Inc, the opposite corporations that additionally market the drug in Canada.
Teva’s manufacturing issues are additionally affecting its provide of acetaminophen with oxycodone, resulting in an elevated demand different corporations cannot make up for.
In a press release, Teva mentioned the issue is “as a consequence of a brief delay in our provide chain regarding the energetic pharmaceutical ingredient (API) cargo from our provider.”
The corporate says it “expects to have the ability to speed up manufacturing of an preliminary provide for early August 2025” and for full provide to be restored in Canada by September.
A spokesperson for Well being Canada, Mark Johnson, mentioned in a press release that the company is “working intently with producers, health-care suppliers and provinces and territories to observe the scenario and discover choices to extend entry.”
“You by no means wish to see a scarcity, interval. However you undoubtedly do not wish to see it with one thing that is this frequent,” mentioned Mina Tadrous, affiliate professor with the College of Pharmacy on the College of Toronto.
Tadrous says these medicine are prescribed for each acute ache — following a surgical procedure or dental process for instance — and for power ache, for sufferers who want them on a long-term foundation.
He says supply-chain issues for one drug firm can have an effect on provide throughout Canada.
“We see a domino impact. One drug goes on scarcity, everybody switches to a different generic,” he mentioned. “That trickles by means of.”
‘Do not panic,’ pharmacists say
Whereas the scarcity can complicate issues for sufferers and pharmacists, the Canadian Pharmacists Affiliation says pharmacists are used to managing drug shortages and serving to sufferers by means of them.
“The excellent news is, there are options obtainable,” mentioned Sadaf Faisal, a pharmacist and senior director {of professional} affairs on the Canadian Pharmacists Affiliation.
Faisal mentioned the affiliation is in shut contact with Well being Canada and is monitoring the scenario intently.
Within the meantime, her recommendation to sufferers is: “Do not panic. Discuss to your health-care suppliers, go to your pharmacist. They’ve sources obtainable to them that present the safer different.”
She additionally advises sufferers to attempt to not wait till they’re nearly out of their drugs to resume prescriptions.
What pharmacists are doing
The affiliation has revealed a medical useful resource for pharmacists as they navigate the scarcity. It offers steering on appropriate different drugs, switching methods and how one can finest monitor modifications.
Faisal says pharmacists can work with sufferers to fine-tune appropriate options in accordance with their circumstances, drugs and medical histories,
“It is based mostly on the scenario,” she mentioned. “It is not a one-size suits all strategy.”
Tadrous says sufferers will nonetheless be handled and get the medicine they want, however notes drug shortages can create further work for pharmacies and physicians.
“It is nonetheless form of burdensome for an already stretched system,” he mentioned.
Keep forward of the curve with NextBusiness 24. Discover extra tales, subscribe to our publication, and be a part of our rising group at nextbusiness24.com
