Pharmacists anticipate an ongoing shortage of oxycodone-containing medications in Canada heading into the upcoming year, while the supply of another painkiller type has rebounded following a nationwide disruption earlier this summer.
Health Canada issued a notice in July regarding a deficiency of acetaminophen with oxycodone drugs, including popular brands like Percocet. Additionally, there was a scarcity of acetaminophen with codeine, such as Tylenol 3, during this period, attributed to manufacturing disruptions.
These medications are commonly prescribed for various conditions ranging from acute injuries to chronic back pain. Sadaf Faisal, the Senior Director of Professional Affairs at the Canadian Pharmacists Association, confirmed that the codeine-based medications like Tylenol 3 are back in circulation. However, the availability of Tylenol 2 and 4 remains limited as they are less frequently prescribed.
The shortage of drugs containing acetaminophen with oxycodone persists, with Faisal mentioning that the manufacturer has indicated a partial supply by December, albeit with constraints due to existing back orders. Faisal expressed optimism that the situation may improve by the new year.
Faisal highlighted that there are alternative pain medications with similar ingredients that healthcare providers can recommend. Mina Tadrous, an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s faculty of pharmacy, emphasized the challenges of switching a patient’s painkiller, requiring significant time and resources and adding strain to an already burdened system.
According to the Canadian Pharmacists Association, there are typically 1,500 to 2,000 active drug shortages in the country at any given time. Tadrous underscored that the impact of shortages is most keenly felt when commonly used medications are affected, likening the situation to a slow-moving train that eventually culminates in significant repercussions.
Tadrous cautioned that once a medication is depleted, the replenishment process can take several months. It is crucial to communicate with pharmacists and healthcare teams early to address potential shortages proactively.
This content is independently produced by Canadian Press with support from the Canadian Medical Association.