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.
Sandoz Canada reports its Estradot (estradiol) 37.5 mcg transdermal patch is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 13, 2026 and is estimated to end Oct 30, 2026.
Estradiol patches are a mainstay of menopause hormone therapy — a Tier 3 shortage means patients and pharmacies need alternatives now.
Sandoz Canada reports its Estradot (estradiol) 75 mcg transdermal patch is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 13, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 18, 2026.
Estradiol patches are a mainstay of menopause hormone therapy — a Tier 3 shortage means patients and pharmacies need alternatives now.
Sandoz Canada reports its Estalis (estradiol / norethindrone acetate) 250/50 mcg transdermal patch faces an anticipated Tier 3 shortage from Jan 15, 2027, driven by an increase in demand. The shortage is estimated to end Feb 28, 2027.
Estalis is a combined hormone therapy patch — prescribers and pharmacies should plan supply well ahead of the January start.
More Canadian provinces are ending seasonal time changes, with Manitoba stopping the clock switch this weekend. Sleep scientists say ending the twice-yearly switch is good for health, but warn that staying on daylight time permanently misaligns with the body's natural clock.
The end of clock changes affects sleep and health for frontline workers on shift schedules — worth knowing which time Manitoba stays on.
Calgary-based NanoTess's NanoSALV Catalytic, a catalyst suspended in a lightweight, non-flammable gel applied directly to wounds, has treated 6,000 wounded soldiers and civilians since reaching Ukraine's front lines in June. The gel uses nanomaterials to support the body's natural healing and fight infection-causing microbes, can be flown in by drone, and can be applied by people with limited medical training. It won Health Canada approval in 2022 after initial National Defence funding, and its Ukraine results were presented at the CAN Health Network conference in Toronto.
A Canadian-made treatment that lets wounds heal with little nursing input — one nurse may care for up to 90 patients — could ease mass-casualty and short-staffed care; it was already used for burn injuries from the CFB Wainwright wildfire earlier this month.
Hoffmann-La Roche reports its Activase rt-PA (alteplase) 100 mg powder for solution is to be discontinued on Jan 31, 2027, for business reasons. Roche says the decision is voluntary and not due to quality, safety or efficacy issues, and remaining supply is listed to Nov 30, 2027.
Alteplase is the clot-busting drug used for stroke and heart attack care — hospitals should plan the switch to alternative treatments.
Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre / Alberta Health Services reports its Stannous MDP Kit (technetium Tc-99m medronate injection) 15 mg is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a shortage of tin chloride, a critical component of the cold kit. The actual shortage began Jul 23, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 31, 2026.
The MDP kit is used for bone scans — a Tier 3 shortage can delay nuclear medicine imaging for patients.
Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre / Alberta Health Services reports its Stannous PYP Kit (technetium Tc-99m pyrophosphate injection) 20 mg is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a shortage of tin chloride, a critical component of the cold kit. The actual shortage began Jul 23, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 5, 2026.
The PYP kit is used in nuclear medicine imaging — a Tier 3 shortage can delay scans for patients.
Janssen reports its Invega (paliperidone) 6 mg extended-release tablet faces an anticipated shortage from Jul 25, 2027, after a disruption in manufacturing. The shortage is estimated to end Nov 1, 2027.
Paliperidone is an antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder — prescribers should plan supply well ahead of the July 2027 start.
Janssen reports its Invega (paliperidone) 9 mg extended-release tablet faces an anticipated shortage from Jan 4, 2027, after a disruption in manufacturing. The shortage is estimated to end Nov 1, 2027.
Paliperidone is an antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder — prescribers should plan supply ahead of the January start.
Siemens has released service pack NX VA60A-SP04 for Magnetom MRI scanners. This update addresses image loading errors, improves system stability, and adjusts coil specifications for breast and body imaging. It also implements new data access requirements and ensures compliance with safety standards for table movement.
If you work with Magnetom MRI systems, check with your technical team to ensure this update is installed for improved system performance and safety.
BioMérieux identified a product issue with lot 0727226 of the BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel kit. Unintended movement of pouch chemistry in this specific lot may cause false negative results across all analytes on the panel. No other product lots are affected by this safety notice.
If your lab uses this specific lot, contact the manufacturer for guidance on managing potential false negative results.
Teva Canada reports its Treanda (bendamustine hydrochloride) 100 mg powder for solution is to be discontinued on Feb 28, 2027, for business reasons. Remaining supply is listed to Feb 28, 2027.
Bendamustine is a chemotherapy drug — oncology teams should plan supply and alternatives ahead of the February date.
AbbVie reports its Salofalk (mesalamine) 4 g rectal suspension is to be discontinued on Nov 4, 2026, due to raw material availability. Remaining supply is listed to Nov 4, 2026.
Mesalamine rectal suspension is used for ulcerative colitis — patients and prescribers should plan alternatives before the November date.
Cheplapharm Arzneimittel reports its Vepesid (etoposide) 50 mg oral capsule is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The shortage was anticipated from Sep 4, 2026 and its estimated end date is unknown; the Oct 27 update confirmed the shortage is now actual rather than anticipated.
Etoposide is a chemotherapy drug — a Tier 3 critical shortage means cancer care teams need alternatives or allocation plans now.
Pfizer Canada reports its Dextrose Injection USP (dextrose 500 mg solution for intravenous use, 10 x 50 mL Ansyr) is in a Tier 3 critical shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Sep 9, 2026 and is estimated to end Feb 15, 2027.
IV dextrose is a hospital staple for fluids and low-blood-sugar care — a Tier 3 shortage affects wards across the system.
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.