Advocacy in Action: April 22
April 22, 2025
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What's happened
Ongoing, Health Canada Drug Shortages Meetings
Through participation at these meetings, CSHP has provided healthcare-systems pharmacy’s perspective on these acute drug shortages:
- Acyclovir suspension Discontinuation: Acyclovir (Zovirax®) suspension, the only commercially available liquid formulation of acyclovir marketed in Canada, has been discontinued. No other commercially available products are available worldwide. To help support the continuity of care, CPhA and CSHP have developed a new resource document outlining alternative options: Acyclovir suspension Resource Document.
- Pantoprazole Injectable De-escalation: Pantoprazole Injectable products were initially escalated to a Tier 3 shortage status in June 2024, with the shortage ongoing. US-authorized supply continues to supplement the Canadian market. These products are marketed by Sandoz, Jamp Pharma, Auro Pharma Inc., Fresenius Kabi, and Generic Medical Partners Inc.
- Epinephrine Injection Pre-filled syringes De-escalation: Epinephrine injection pre-filled syringes, supplied by Pfizer and Laboratoire Aguettant in Canada, were escalated to Tier 3 shortage status in June 2024. To help manage the shortage, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals was permitted to exceptionally import approved US syringes. With its current stock, upcoming deliveries from Pfizer and Aguettant, and typical demand, supply is expected to meet Canadian needs. As availability of Canadian-approved products improves, Amphastar will stop bringing US supply.
- Dextrose Injection De-escalation: Dextrose Injection was initially escalated to Tier 3 shortage status on August 24, 2023, and is marketed by both Pfizer and Omega. Pfizer has resolved all its shortages and removed all allocations for all formats. While Pfizer expects a shortage of its LifeShield pre-filled syringe to begin in July 2025, it has enough supply of its ANSYR pre-filled syringe format to meet full demand for both syringes for the foreseeable future.
What's happening
April 17, Multistakeholder meeting on the impact of tariffs on health product access
CSHP participated in a multilateral meeting on the impact of tariffs on access to health products in Canada. As the issue continues to evolve, Health Canada is facilitating open dialogue to address emerging challenges and explore potential mitigation strategies. This discussion will bring together key stakeholders from industry, healthcare, and patient advocacy groups.
What's worth repeating
April to May, Cannabidiol consultation
As part of its 2024-2026 Forward Regulatory Plan, Health Canada is developing a regulatory pathway to authorize certain health products containing cannabidiol (CBD) for sale without a prescription. The consultation, Towards a pathway for health products containing cannabidiol, is open for feedback on packaging, labeling, place of sale, advertising/ promotion, and post-marketing surveillance.
CSHP plans to submit a national response and is seeking member expertise. Please send insights to [email protected] by May 26, 2025.
To catch up on CSHP advocacy news, click here.
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