There is a shortage of some analgesics commonly prescribed in Canada, since the companies that supply them deal with manufacturing interruptions and the greatest demand, according to a warning Posted on the Health Canada website.
The medications in question are acetaminophen with codeine (sometimes known as Tylenol 3) and acetaminophen with oxycodone (sometimes sold under the Percocet brand).
As a result of scarcity, Health Canada’s warning said these medications have become more difficult to obtain and “it may not always be available.”
This is what you need to know.
Manufacturing problems cause undulation effects
The notice of Health Canada says that the shortage of acetaminophen with codeine is linked to manufacturing interruptions reported by Teva Canada Limited, resulting in a greater demand and shortage reported by Apotex INC and Laboratoire Riva Inc, the other companies that also market the medicine in Canada.
Teva’s manufacturing problems are also affecting their acetaminophane supply with oxycodone, leading to greater demand that other companies cannot compensate.
In a statement, Teva said the problem is “to a brief delay in our supply chain related to the active shipment of pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of our supplier.”
The company says that “he hopes to accelerate the production of an initial supply for early August 2025” and for the total supply to be restored in Canada in September.
A Health Canada spokesman, Mark Johnson, said in a statement that the agency is “working closely with manufacturers, medical care providers and provinces and territories to monitor the situation and explore options to increase access.”
“You never want to see a shortage, point. But you definitely don’t want to see it with something that is so common,” said Mina Tadrous, an associated professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto.
Tadrous says that these medications are prescribed both for acute pain, after surgery or dental procedure, and for chronic pain, for patients who need them in the long term.
He says that the problems of the supply chain for a pharmaceutical company can affect the supply throughout Canada.
“We see a domino effect. A drug remains scarcity, everyone changes to another generic,” he said. “That goes through.”
“Don’t be scared,” says pharmacists
While scarcity can complicate things for patients and pharmacists, the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association says that pharmacists are accustomed to handling drug scarcity and helping patients through them.
“The good news is that there are alternatives available,” said Sadaf Faisal, pharmacist and senior director of Professional Affairs of the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association.
Faisal said the association is in close contact with Health Canada and is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, their advice for patients is: “Do not scare. Talk to your medical care providers, go to your pharmacist. They have resources available to them that provide the safer alternative.”
He also advises patients to try not to wait until they are almost out of their medications to renew recipes.
What pharmacists are doing
The association has published a clinical resource For pharmacists while navigating shortage. It provides guidance on adequate alternative medications, change strategies and how to better monitor changes.
Faisal says that pharmacists can work with patients to adjust adequate alternatives according to their conditions, medications and medical stories,
“It is based on the situation,” he said. “It is not a unique approach to everyone.”
Tadrous says that patients will continue treated and receive the medications they need, but drug scarcity notes can create additional work for pharmacies and doctors.
“It’s still a bit heavy for an already stretched system,” he said.
