News for Newfoundland and Labrador’s health workforce
Short briefs on what is changing in healthcare in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada, collected from official bodies and news outlets, each linked to its original source.
Teva reports its Teva-Oxycocet (oxycodone hydrochloride / acetaminophen) 5 mg / 325 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Jun 18, 2025 and is estimated to end Dec 20, 2026.
Oxycodone/acetaminophen is a widely used pain combination — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Teva reports its Teva-Propranolol (propranolol hydrochloride) 10 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 29, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 30, 2026.
Propranolol is widely used for blood pressure, migraine prevention and anxiety symptoms — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Teva reports its Teva-Haloperidol (haloperidol) 1 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 29, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 30, 2026.
Haloperidol is used for schizophrenia and acute agitation — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Teva reports its Teva-Haloperidol (haloperidol) 2 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 29, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 30, 2026.
Haloperidol is used for schizophrenia and acute agitation — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Teva reports its Teva-Indomethacin (indomethacin) 25 mg capsule is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 29, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 30, 2026.
Indomethacin is an anti-inflammatory drug used for arthritis and gout — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Saskatchewan's Henry's Law, which requires carbon monoxide alarms in all residential suites in multi-unit buildings, takes effect Nov. 1, 2026, and six other provinces and territories are reviewing similar rules, says Saskatchewan minister Eric Schmalz. British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon and the Northwest Territories are considering adoption after a ministers' meeting in Alberta in summer 2026. The law is named for Henry Losco, 11, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his family's Regina apartment in December 2025; his parents advocated for the change.
Carbon monoxide alarms in rental housing are a basic safety measure for tenants and for home-care workers entering those homes; wider adoption would standardize protection across provinces.
Teva reports its Teva-Simvastatin (simvastatin) 20 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Apr 22, 2026 and no estimated end date is given.
Simvastatin is a widely prescribed cholesterol drug — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Teva reports its Teva-Quetiapine XR (quetiapine) 200 mg extended-release tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Jan 8, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 30, 2026.
Quetiapine is widely used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Teva reports its Teva-Quetiapine XR (quetiapine) 400 mg extended-release tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Sep 2, 2025 and is estimated to end Nov 30, 2026.
Quetiapine is widely used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Teva reports its Teva-Prazosin (prazosin) 1 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Jun 10, 2026 and no estimated end date is given.
Prazosin is used for blood pressure control and PTSD-related nightmares — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Teva reports its Teva-Indomethacin (indomethacin) 50 mg capsule is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Feb 18, 2026 and is estimated to end Jul 10, 2027.
Indomethacin is an anti-inflammatory drug used for arthritis and gout — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Teva reports its Teva-Escitalopram (escitalopram) 10 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Jun 17, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 10, 2026.
Escitalopram is a widely prescribed antidepressant — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives with their prescriber and pharmacy.
Teva reports its Teva-Donepezil (donepezil hydrochloride) 5 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Jan 30, 2025 and no estimated end date is given.
Donepezil is widely used for Alzheimer's dementia — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Sun Pharma reports its Taro-Ramipril (ramipril) 10 mg capsule is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Dec 3, 2025 and is estimated to end Nov 6, 2026.
Ramipril is a widely prescribed blood pressure drug — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Sun Pharma reports its Taro-Pregabalin (pregabalin) 25 mg capsule is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Oct 6, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 20, 2026.
Pregabalin is widely used for nerve pain and seizures — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Sun Pharma reports its Taro-Pregabalin (pregabalin) 50 mg capsule is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Apr 17, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 20, 2026.
Pregabalin is widely used for nerve pain and seizures — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Sun Pharma reports its Taro-Candesartan (candesartan cilexetil) 4 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Sep 1, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 6, 2026.
Candesartan is a widely prescribed blood pressure drug — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Taro reports its Taro-Testosterone Gel (testosterone) 1% gel is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Aug 27, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 20, 2026.
Testosterone gel is used for testosterone replacement therapy — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Taro reports its Taro-Lurasidone (lurasidone hydrochloride) 40 mg tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Jul 1, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 24, 2026.
Lurasidone is used for schizophrenia and bipolar depression — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Taro reports its Taro-Desvenlafaxine (desvenlafaxine) 100 mg extended-release tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began May 1, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 13, 2026.
Desvenlafaxine is a widely prescribed antidepressant — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Taro reports its Taro-Desvenlafaxine (desvenlafaxine) 50 mg extended-release tablet is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began May 1, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 13, 2026.
Desvenlafaxine is a widely prescribed antidepressant — patients should not stop abruptly and should check stock and alternatives.
Taro reports its Taro-Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone) 0.3% / 0.1% otic suspension is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Mar 4, 2026 and is estimated to end Nov 6, 2026.
Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone ear drops are widely used for ear infections — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
QuidelOrtho has identified an issue where certain generations of Vitros chemistry products A1c slides may produce positively biased results. The manufacturer has received 58 complaints regarding this performance issue as of October 15, 2026. No adverse events have been reported to date.
If you use these slides in your lab, contact the manufacturer for further guidance on managing potential result inaccuracies.
Philips identified a safety issue where power supply units in certain Azurion systems may fail during startup or restart. Energy surges can cause these components to malfunction, preventing the system from completing its boot process. This failure renders the imaging equipment unavailable for clinical use.
If you operate this equipment, contact the manufacturer for further guidance on managing potential startup failures.
The manufacturer identified a software issue affecting all RotaFlow consoles on the market. This fault can prevent the device from charging its battery after the unit has operated in battery mode. Users should contact the manufacturer for further information regarding this device defect.
If you use RotaFlow consoles in your clinical practice, contact the manufacturer to determine how this charging issue affects your equipment's reliability.
Boston Scientific issued an advisory for the OptiCross family of intravascular ultrasound imaging catheters. The manufacturer is updating flushing instructions and reinforcing device preparation and air-management practices. Users should consult the updated Instructions for Use for the specific products listed in the company's customer letter.
If you use these catheters, review the updated flushing and air-management protocols to ensure proper device preparation before use.
AbbVie reports its Combigan (timolol / brimonidine tartrate) 0.5% / 0.2% ophthalmic solution is in an actual shortage after a disruption in manufacturing. The actual shortage began Sep 9, 2026 and is estimated to end Dec 11, 2026.
Combigan is a widely used glaucoma eye drop — patients and pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Canada reports its GLN-Olmesartan (olmesartan medoxomil) 40 mg tablet is in an actual shortage that began Oct 29, 2026, driven by an increase in demand. The shortage is estimated to end Nov 27, 2026.
Olmesartan is a widely prescribed blood pressure drug — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Canada reports its GLN-Olmesartan HCTZ (olmesartan medoxomil / hydrochlorothiazide) 20 mg / 12.5 mg tablet is in an actual shortage that began Oct 29, 2026, driven by an increase in demand. The shortage is estimated to end Nov 27, 2026.
Olmesartan/HCTZ is a widely prescribed blood pressure combination — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives while the shortage runs.
Auditor General Karen Hogan found benefit payments under the Canadian Dental Care Plan ran $1.1 billion over initial budget commitments across 2024-25 and 2025-26, driven by higher-than-expected claim payments per member. As of March 31, 2026, 6.9 million of 10.5 million eligible Canadians had registered and 4.2 million had submitted claims, with average out-of-pocket spending of $264. A newer forecast cut the projected shortfall to 2032 from $2.4 billion to $1.2 billion. Health Minister Marjorie Michel acknowledged a funding shortfall and said the program is under review.
Dental coverage costs and eligibility shape access to oral care for low- and middle-income Canadians, and any change to funded services or eligibility could affect patients frontline workers see every day.