Drug Shortages
Drug shortages continue to be a serious and growing concern within the Canadian health care system. Managing drug supply issues has become an unfortunate part of pharmacists’ daily practice, which takes time and resources away from direct patient care. Pharmacists track down supply and work with physicians to identify and provide appropriate drug therapy alternatives so that patients can continue to receive the best care possible. Despite these efforts, drug shortages increase the risk of medication errors, adverse events and patient non-adherence and they cause considerable stress and anxiety for patients and pharmacists alike.
Impact at a glance:
- One in four Canadians have either personally experienced or know someone who has experienced a drug shortage in the last 3 years (Survey of Canadians - 2018).
- Most pharmacists are reporting that drug shortages have increased in the last 3-5 years, with the vast majority (79%) indicating that shortages have ‘greatly increased (Survey of Pharmacists - 2018).
What CPhA is doing
CPhA has taken a leadership role to help address drug shortages in Canada. We were strong proponents of mandatory drug shortage reporting, which Health Canada enacted in March 2017, and we continue to advocate for research into the causes of drug shortages as well as international cooperation to address and resolve drug supply issues.
Our organization sits on Health Canada’s Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee, made up of industry and health care representatives, to improve drug shortage response and communication strategies, and identify opportunities to help mitigate and prevent disruptions to the Canadian drug supply. CPhA has also actively participated in ad hoc working groups created to help address specific shortages when they occur (e.g., the EpiPen shortage in 2018).
Our advocacy activities related to drug shortages include the following:
- CPhA letter to Prime Minister on new government mandate (November 2019)
- CPhA letter to Prime Minister on drug shortage concerns (August 2019)
- Drug shortages survey of pharmacists (2018)
- Abacus Data survey of Canadians on drug shortages (2018)
- Advocacy efforts to enable pharmacists’ full scope of practice across Canada and appropriate remuneration for the improved mitigation of drug shortages
- Ongoing participation on Health Canada’s Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee on Drug Shortages
- Ongoing consultations with the federal government and House of Commons Standing Committee on Health to address and prevent drug shortages
- International summit held in Toronto, co-hosted by CPhA and FIP (2013)
- Drug shortages survey of pharmacists (2010)
Recent Statements:
Pharmacists continue to have difficulty sourcing certain medications amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
May 27, 2020 – Community pharmacists across Canada continue to be faced with drug supply challenges two months after the COVID-19 pandemic began, and they remain very concerned about their ability to access the medications their patients need.
Pharmacists see spikes in drug shortages during pandemic
April 17, 2020 – COVID-19 is and continues to be a threat to Canada’s drug supply say Canada’s pharmacists, and they are concerned about dramatic increases and volatility in the number of reported drug shortages.
COVID-19 and the responsible allocation of medications to patients
March 17, 2020 – To ensure that Canada’s medication supply is managed responsibly, we are recommending a 30-day supply of medications for patients, unless clinically justified.
Canadian Pharmacists Association warns against stockpiling medication in response to COVID-19
March 4, 2020 – Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers and have a critical role to play in identifying, reporting, and managing potential cases of COVID-19.
Federal parties remain silent as drug shortages grow. More than 129 new shortages since election called
October 7, 2019 – Halfway through the election campaign and no federal parties have addressed the growing issue of drug shortages.
Canadian pharmacists launch 2019 election platform, call for action to address growing number of drug shortages
September 17, 2019 – CPhA releases its 2019 Election Platform, calling on all federal parties to demonstrate their commitment to addressing a range of barriers Canadian patients continue to face when it comes to accessing medications and health care services.
Canadian Pharmacists Association renews call for federal government to protect drug supply in light of U.S. drug importation developments
July 31, 2019 – In light of HHS Secretary Azar’s introduction of the Safe Importation Action Plan today, it’s now clear that there is support from the U.S. federal administration, which brings us one step closer to permitting the importation of Canadian drugs into the United States.
Drug shortages have 'greatly increased' over the past 3-5 years say Canadian pharmacists
July 26, 2019 – Pharmacists spending more and more of their time helping to mitigate the impact on their patients.
Additional Resources
- Drug Shortages Canada database. Developed by Health Canada.
- Canadian Drug Shortage website. Developed by Dr. Jacalyn Duffin.
- Assessing Canada’s Drug Shortage Problem. C.D. Howe Commentary authored by Jessy Donelle, Jacalyn Duffin, Jon Pipitone and Brian White-Guay
- MSSC Preventing Drug Shortages: Identifying Risks and Strategies to Address Manufacturing-Related Drug Shortages in Canada
- MSSC Guidance Document to Mitigate Drug Shortages through Contracting and Procurement (2017)
- MSSC Protocol for the Notification and Communication of Drug Shortages (2017)
- MSSC Multi-Stakeholder Toolkit: A Toolkit for Improved Understanding and Transparency of Drug Shortage Response in Canada (2017)
- US Food and Drug Administration’s Report on Drug Shortages (October 2013)
- House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's final report on Drug Shortages (June 2012)