Drug shortages

Last updated on March 30, 2026

 

Current Drug Shortages (.xls)

The Current Drug Shortages list provides details about drugs covered by PharmaCare that are in short supply at B.C. community pharmacies. It includes coverage options and alternative drugs that PharmaCare is covering during the shortage. The list does not include drugs used in hospitals. The Resolved Drug Shortages list provides details about drug shortages that have ended, including when the shortage resolved and how the shortage was mitigated.

Days' supply limit for alternative drugs during shortages

For certain alternative drugs that have been granted temporary coverage during a shortage, PharmaCare may limit the maximum number of days' supply it will cover to 30 days at a time. This limit will help preserve supply and support fair access for patients. 

Not all alternative drugs will have a 30-day limit. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the factors of each shortage like duration, supply levels, clinical considerations and product characteristics. Regular days’ supply limits resume once the shortage ends and coverage returns to normal.

Alternative drugs currently subject to a 30-day coverage limit
Alternative drug subject to 30-day limit Primary drug(s) in shortage Effective date
Brivlera 25 mg (DIN: 02452944) Brivaracetam 25 mg (all generics) March 17, 2026

This table is updated as shortage situations change. For more information, refer to the PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 5.24: Drug Shortages.

Active advisories​

Cyclophosphamide vial for injection

Oseltamivir 6 mg/mL suspension

Bicillin L-A for intramuscular injection

Rifabutin capsules

Lomustine capsules

Progesterone USP 50 mg/mL for injection 

  • Shortage: Progesterone Injection 50mg/mL, DIN 02531828
  • Mitigation: Hikma’s US-authorized Progesterone USP 50mg/mL for injection. Use PIN 66128596. US-authorized product has same coverage as Canadian product
  • Effective date: December 19, 2025
  • Expected resolution: January, 2026
  • Resources:

Spironolactone tablets

  • Shortage: Spironolactone 25 mg and 100 mg tablets (multiple brands)
  • Mitigation: Refer to Spironolactone shortage (PDF, 285KB) for guidance on using alternative therapies. Consider alternative anti-hypertensives for management of simple hypertension
  • Reason: Teva and Mint are reporting shortages because of manufacturing disruptions. Pfizer is reporting a shortage because of increased demand
  • Expected resolution: Product is currently being received from manufacturer but on allocation
  • Resources:

Disopyramide capsules

  • Shortage: Disopyramide capsules (brand name Rythmodan), DIN: 02224801
  • Mitigation: US-labelled disopyramide 100mg capsules from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories using PIN 09858365
  • Effective date: July 16, 2025
  • Ordering: Available through McKesson
  • Expected resolution: Unknown
  • Notes:

Olanzapine for injection

  • Shortage: Olanzapine for injection, DIN 02416522
  • Mitigation: SteriMax’s US-authorized olanzapine for injection. Use PIN 66128561. Olanzapine for injection is not a PharmaCare benefit
  • Effective date: July 10, 2025
  • Note: Product (DIN 02416522) has been discontinued
  • Resources: Consult the SteriMax advisory (PDF, 389 KB) for more information 

Praziquantel (Biltricide)

  • Shortage: Praziquantel (Biltricide), DIN 02230897
  • Mitigation: Use Middle Africa-authorized Biltricide 600 mg tablets (use PIN 66128550) or US-authorized Biltricide 600 mg tablets (use PIN 66128605). Please note that praziquantel (Biltricide) is not a PharmaCare benefit
  • Effective date: May 13, 2025
  • Ordering: This medication can be ordered through usual wholesale distribution channels
  • Expected resolution: Unknown

Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®) 180 mcg/0.5 mL pre-filled syringe

Calcitriol injection USP 1 mcg/mL

  • Shortage: Calcitriol injection USP 1 mcg/mL solution (DIN: 02399334)
  • Mitigation: US supply imported. Use PIN 09858344 for processing
  • Effective date: July 15, 2024
  • Reason: Delay in shipping
  • Expected resolution: Unknown
  • Notes: US-supply calcitriol is a PharmaCare non-benefit, as with original Canadian product

Collagenase (Santyl®) ointment

  • Update: US supply of collagenase (Santyl®) ointment has been imported into Canada and is available for order through McKesson Canada. Note that the US supply is now a regular PharmaCare benefit. Use PIN 66128469 to enter prescriptions into PharmaNet
  • Effective date: April 25, 2024 (updated January 2026)
  • Resources:
  • Resolution: Intermittent US supply has been imported. Resolution date is unknown

Glucagon for injection

  • Effective date: October 6, 2023
  • Shortage: Glucagon for injection
  • Mitigation: Use US-labelled glucagon from Amphastar Pharmaceuticals using PIN 09858279 
  • Notes:
    • US labelled glucagon is limited coverage
      • Special Authority details: Limited coverage drugs - glucagon
      • Criteria: for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients who the nasal spray dosage is not appropriate
    • Amphastar's glucagon for injection is NOT considered equivalent to Eli Lilly's Canadian marketed glucagon (DIN 02243297). Please follow the US labelling when using Amphastar's glucagon, since there is no equivalent Canadian labelling available
    • Baqsimi, a nasal formulation of glucagon, is available and is a regular PharmaCare benefit

Coverage for alternative drugs

PharmaCare may cover an alternative drug during a shortage. Coverage for the alternative drug is often the same as for the drug that is in short supply (e.g., the plan it is covered under and whether it needs Special Authority approval for coverage). To look up PharmaCare coverage of a specific drug, use the Formulary Search.

Sometimes the alternative is a foreign-labelled product. If this is the case, PharmaCare assigns the product a PIN, as it will not have a DIN.

For details on submitting a foreign-labelled product visit Foreign-authorized drug submissions.

PharmaCare may cover a compounded drug as the alternative drug on a last-resort basis.

When a shortage ends, the information is removed from the Current Drug Shortages list and is added to the Resolved Drug Shortages list, and any alternative product returns to its former benefit status.

PharmaCare often covers several versions of a drug. If one supplier’s version runs short, prescribers and pharmacists can consult the Low Cost Alternative program listings to learn whether another version is covered.

If PharmaCare is not covering an alternative drug

If there is no covered alternative drug, patients and their health care providers may need to discuss different treatment options.

Reasons for drug shortages

A drug shortage happens when a drug manufacturer or distributor cannot supply enough of a drug to meet demand. It can result from various supply and demand issues, including manufacturing delays, distribution issues (including importation) and product discontinuations.

Shortages happen fairly regularly. Most drug shortages are temporary, but permanent shortages may occur when a drug is discontinued. 

​Resolved Drug Shortages (.xls)

 

Report a drug shortage

If you know of a drug shortage that is not included in the Current Drug Shortages List and have confirmed the shortage with your wholesaler, please contact the PharmaCare Help Desk.

Lower Mainland:

  • 604-682-7120

Elsewhere in B.C.:

  • 1-800-554-0225
Drug shortages in Canada

BC PharmaCare collaborates with provinces and territories, Health Canada, and the pharmaceutical industry to minimize the impact of drug shortages. 

For more information on drug shortages in Canada, refer to Health product shortages in Canada: Fiscal year 2024 to 2025 in review.