Advocacy in Action: September 2025
September 29, 2025
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CSHP is pleased to share an update on the key advocacy and pharmacy practice initiatives that the Professional Practice team has been focused on over the past month.
Drug Shortages
Through participation at drug shortage meetings, CSHP has provided healthcare-systems pharmacy's perspective on these acute drug shortages:
Insulin regular
Eli Lilly is planning to discontinue several insulin regular vial products (cartridges and pens will still be available) by April 30, 2026 :
- Humulin® 30/70 100 units/mL
- Humulin® N 100 units/mL
- Humulin® R 100 units/mL
Novo Nordisk will continue producing Novolin GE Toronto vials but not in sufficient quantities to offset Eli Lilly’s discontinuation.
Insulin R vials are critical in hospitals for IV administration, especially for hyperkalemia, beta blocker/calcium channel blocker overdose, and hyperglycemia. Insulin pens/cartridges are not suitable for these uses and ISMP guidelines advise against withdrawing insulin from cartridges like a vial due to safety risks. CSHP, along with other national organizations, are working on strategies and guidance on how to mitigate this shortage.
Vincristine
Update: No changes from last month. The information below remains current.
Teva is reporting shortages of all marketed vincristine sulfate injection formats (1mg/mL: 1 mL, 2 mL, 5mL) citing manufacturing issues. While the Canadian supply is expected to meet demand after mid-November, Teva has indicated that intermittent supply constraints could continue until April 2026.
Vincristine is used as a component of multiple standards of care regimens in both adults and pediatrics, making reduced allocations challenging for hospitals and cancer centres. As such, vincristine was escalated to Tier 3 status on August 15.
Strategic Collaboration with Partners
PHAC—UNHLM-Non-communicable diseases
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in partnership with the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID), will share updates on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), seasonal influenza and avian influenza, and present National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance for these respiratory viruses via webinar on October 7, 2025 on Respiratory virus immunization updates (2025-2026 season) – National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases.
Choosing Wisely Canada Climate Action Recommendations
CSHP is in the process of reviewing its Climate Action Recommendations (both hospital specific and joint recommendations created in collaboration with CPhA). The updated recommendations will be posted on choosingwiselycanada.org in October 2025.
Multi-stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC) Meeting
CSHP participated in the the September 16, 2025 MSSC meeting which focused on federal and provincial updates on drug shortages, the introduction of the draft 2026–2028 work plan, and a member roundtable to share key challenges and initiatives.
Canadian Drug Agency (CDA) Meeting
The CDA hosted a Tariff Readiness Scenario Planning Workshop on September 26, 2025 that brought together multiple national organizations including CSHP to analyze U.S. policy uncertainties, explore future scenarios, and identify collective strategies to strengthen Canada’s drug supply and system resilience.
Consultations
CSHP has participated in the following consultations:
We are continuing to work on responses for the following consultations. Please contact [email protected] to provide your feedback.
CSHP in the media
Foundation grant highlighted
canadianhealthcarenetwork.ca spotlighted 2025 CSHP Foundation’s William McLean Innovation Grant recipients Dr. Allan Mills and Katie Palmer for their current project at Trillium Health Centre. Their work will pilot a novel structure for a standardized post-graduate Pharmacy Technician Residency Training Program.
To catch up on CSHP advocacy news, click here.
Have a question about Advocacy in Action or CSHP's advocacy and consultation work?
Reach out to our professional practice team!