Short briefs on what is changing in healthcare in British Columbia and across Canada, collected from official bodies and news outlets, each linked to its original source.
Formative Pharma reports its Cabazitaxel for Injection 60 mg solution for intravenous use faces an anticipated shortage from Apr 30, 2027, citing a Health Canada supplement delay. The company says the product is on 100% allocation at CPDN and no estimated end date is given.
Cabazitaxel is a chemotherapy drug — oncology teams should plan supply well ahead of the April 2027 start.
Formative Pharma reports its Cabazitaxel for Injection 45 mg solution for intravenous use faces an anticipated shortage from Nov 20, 2026, citing a Health Canada supplement delay. The company says the product is on 100% allocation at CPDN and no estimated end date is given.
Cabazitaxel is a chemotherapy drug — oncology teams should plan supply ahead of the November start.
Baxter reports its Artiss fibrin sealant (slow set) 4 mL is in an actual shortage that began Oct 27, 2026 and is estimated to end Mar 15, 2027, driven by an unanticipated increase in demand following the recent emergency in Alberta involving multiple burn patients. The 2 mL size remains available, but Baxter warns ordering it in place of the 4 mL will restrict both sizes.
Fibrin sealant is used in surgery and burn care — surgical teams should plan alternatives while the shortage runs.
Sanofi-Aventis Canada reports its Zaroxolyn (metolazone) 2.5 mg tablet is in an actual shortage that began Oct 26, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 18, 2026, due to a supply delay. Sanofi notes the date is estimated availability at its main warehouse and may vary by distributor.
Metolazone is a diuretic used in heart failure and kidney care — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Auro Pharma reports its Auro-Ritonavir (ritonavir) 100 mg tablet is in an actual shortage that began Oct 26, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 15, 2026, after a delay in shipping.
Ritonavir is used in HIV treatment — prescribers and pharmacies should plan alternatives while the shortage runs.
Hikma Canada reports its Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP 1 g powder for solution is in an actual shortage that began Oct 9, 2026, driven by increased demand. The Oct 27 update confirmed the shortage is now actual rather than anticipated; the page lists an actual end date of Jan 31, 2027.
Vancomycin is a front-line antibiotic for serious infections — hospitals should confirm stock and alternatives now.
Hikma Canada reports its Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP 500 mg powder for solution is in an actual shortage that began Oct 9, 2026 and is expected to run until Jan 31, 2027, driven by increased demand.
Vancomycin is a front-line antibiotic for serious infections — hospitals should confirm stock and alternatives now.
Hoffmann-La Roche reports its Tamiflu (oseltamivir) 6 mg powder for oral suspension is in an actual shortage that began Oct 23, 2026 and is expected to run until Dec 1, 2026, driven by a significant increase in demand from the spread of influenza in Canada. Roche says stock is on allocation and Tamiflu 75 mg capsules remain available for compounding a suspension.
Oseltamivir suspension is the flu treatment for children — pharmacies should check stock and the capsule-compounding option while the shortage runs.
Novo Nordisk Canada reports its Rybelsus (semaglutide) 3 mg tablet is in an actual shortage anticipated from Aug 30, 2026, with no estimated end date. The company says the current 3 mg formulation will transition to the equivalent new optimized formulation of Rybelsus 1.5 mg — a formulation change, not a supply failure.
Semaglutide is widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes — patients on the 3 mg tablet should plan the switch to the 1.5 mg formulation with their prescriber.
Omega Laboratories reports its Naloxone Hydrochloride Injection 0.4 mg solution is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The shortage was anticipated from Aug 30, 2026, no estimated end date is given, and the Oct 27 update confirmed the shortage is now actual rather than anticipated.
Naloxone is the opioid-overdose antidote — harm-reduction and emergency teams should confirm supply now.
Hikma Canada reports its Levofloxacin in 5% Dextrose Injection 5 mg solution for intravenous use (150 mL) is in an actual shortage that began Oct 9, 2026, after a delay in shipping. The page lists an actual end date of Dec 1, 2026.
Levofloxacin IV is a widely used hospital antibiotic — care teams should confirm stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Sterimax reports its Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Injection 2 mg solution is in an actual shortage that began Oct 9, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 31, 2026, after a delay in shipping. The company notes contract coverage is in place.
Hydromorphone injection is a standard hospital pain drug — care teams should confirm supply while the shortage runs.
Sanofi-Aventis Canada reports its Trurapi (insulin aspart) 100 units solution for subcutaneous injection (cartridge) is in an actual shortage after intermittent supply problems. The shortage was anticipated from Sep 8, 2026, no estimated end date is given, and the Oct 27 update confirmed the shortage is now actual rather than anticipated.
Insulin aspart is a daily essential for people with diabetes — patients and pharmacies should confirm supply and alternatives now.
Sanis Health reports its Pregabalin 300 mg capsule is in an actual shortage that began Oct 9, 2026 and is expected to run until Nov 6, 2026, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Pregabalin is widely used for nerve pain and seizures — prescribers and pharmacies should plan alternatives while the shortage runs.
The Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance and the manufacturer of Elahere have reached a funding agreement. This targeted chemotherapy for FRα-positive, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is now recommended for public reimbursement by Canada’s Drug Agency. Provincial and territorial governments must now finalize the process to include the drug in their respective public plans.
If you treat patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, this agreement moves the drug closer to being covered by provincial public drug plans.
Mantra Pharma reports its M-Diltiazem CD (diltiazem hydrochloride) 120 mg controlled-delivery capsule (DIN 02546086) is in an actual shortage caused by a delay in shipping. The shortage was anticipated from Oct 19, 2026 and is expected to run until Dec 15, 2026.
Diltiazem is a widely used heart and blood-pressure drug — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
The federal government is tabling legislation to permanently exclude individuals with mental illness as their sole underlying condition from accessing medical assistance in dying. The bill also introduces provisions for advance requests, allowing patients with degenerative conditions to consent to MAID before losing capacity. The legislation must pass by March 17, 2027.
If this bill passes, provinces will decide whether to implement advance request procedures within their own health systems.
GLP-1 drugs were designed and tested for long-term treatment of diabetes and obesity, but growing numbers of people are using them off-label for short-term weight loss — microdosing, cycling on and off, or brief stints before weddings. A Danish study found roughly half of adults stopped semaglutide for obesity within 12 months. Experts warn stopping can lead to weight regain and worsened heart health and blood pressure, and mouse research found cycling made them less effective. No guidance exists yet on stopping safely; a 16-week Toronto trial is comparing tapering off with stopping abruptly.
Patients are asking frontline workers about GLP-1s for quick weight loss — this explains the risks of stopping and cycling, and that there is no safe way to quit yet.
The federal government is amending the Criminal Code to permit medical assistance in dying (MAID) for individuals who provide consent via advance directives before losing decision-making capacity. This change aims to protect practitioners from criminal charges when fulfilling these requests. Advocacy groups warn that delegating implementation to provinces may result in inconsistent access across the country.
You may soon need to prepare for new provincial protocols regarding how advance requests for MAID are documented and fulfilled in your clinical practice.
Alcon Canada reports its Miostat (carbachol) 0.01% intraocular solution (DIN 00042544) is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The shortage was anticipated from Sep 28, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 1, 2026, though Alcon says current stock is under allocation and resupply is estimated for early January 2027.
Miostat is used in eye surgery — a Tier 3 critical shortage means surgical teams need alternatives or allocation plans now.
Takeda Canada reports its Tecta (pantoprazole magnesium) 40 mg enteric-coated tablet (DIN 02267233) faces an anticipated shortage from Oct 26 to Dec 18, 2026, driven by increased demand. Takeda notes the product is on limited allocation.
Pantoprazole is a commonly prescribed stomach-acid drug — prescribers and pharmacies should plan alternatives while the shortage is expected.
Sandoz Canada reports its Erelzi (etanercept) 25 mg solution for subcutaneous injection (DIN 02462877) faces an anticipated shortage from Nov 2, 2026 to Feb 12, 2027, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Etanercept is used for arthritis and other autoimmune conditions — patients and prescribers should plan the switch to another product before Nov 2.
Bayer reports its Cipro oral suspension (ciprofloxacin) 500 mg (DIN 02237514) is in an actual shortage that began Oct 23, 2026 and is expected to run until Mar 1, 2027, due to supply constraints.
Ciprofloxacin suspension is used for children and patients who cannot swallow tablets — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Mylan Pharmaceuticals reports its Mylan-Mirtazapine 15 mg tablet (DIN 02256096) faces an anticipated shortage that began Oct 26, 2026 and is expected to run until Nov 24, 2026, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Mirtazapine is a commonly prescribed antidepressant — prescribers and pharmacies should plan alternatives while the shortage runs.
Sandoz Canada reports its Sandoz-Diclofenac (diclofenac sodium) 50 mg suppository (DIN 02261928) faces an anticipated shortage from Nov 1, 2026, because the product is to be discontinued. No expected end date is given.
Diclofenac suppositories are used where oral pain relief is not an option — care teams should plan alternatives before the product is discontinued.
Mylan Pharmaceuticals reports its Mylan-Fluconazole 100 mg tablet (DIN 02245293) is in an actual shortage that began Oct 13, 2026 and is expected to run until Apr 13, 2027, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Fluconazole is a widely used antifungal — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
BGP Pharma reports its Viagra (sildenafil) 50 mg tablet (DIN 02239767) faces an anticipated shortage from Dec 10 to Dec 29, 2026, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Sildenafil is widely prescribed — pharmacies should plan stock and alternatives ahead of the December gap.
BGP Pharma reports its Neurontin (gabapentin) 300 mg capsule (DIN 02084279) faces an anticipated shortage from Dec 15, 2026 to Jan 5, 2027, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Gabapentin is widely used for nerve pain and seizures — prescribers and pharmacies should plan alternatives before the December gap.
BGP Pharma reports its Lyrica (pregabalin) 150 mg capsule (DIN 02268450) faces an anticipated shortage from Dec 6, 2026 to Jan 26, 2027, after a disruption in manufacturing.
Pregabalin is widely used for nerve pain and seizures — prescribers and pharmacies should plan alternatives before the December gap.
Sandoz Canada reports its Sandoz Diclofenac Rapide (diclofenac potassium) 50 mg tablet (DIN 02261774) is in an actual shortage that began Sep 8, 2026, because the product is to be discontinued. No expected end date is given.
Diclofenac is a widely used pain and inflammation drug — prescribers and pharmacies should switch patients to another diclofenac product before this one is discontinued.
