Harper Government Announces Requirement for Reporting of Drug Shortages

Providing clear and concise information on drug shortages to help ensure the health and safety of Canadians
Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Health was joined by Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South to announce that the Government of Canada is advancing regulations that will require manufacturers to publicly report drug shortages in order for Canadians to better plan for their health and safety. By providing advanced warning of upcoming shortages, Canadians will be able to better proactively work with their healthcare professionals to find alternative options.
Unfortunately, drug shortages negatively impact the health of many Canadians and their families every year. As a result, the Government of Canada is moving towards a mandatory reporting system which requires all manufacturers to publicly report drug shortages in order to help Canadians better plan for the health and safety of themselves and their families. Requiring manufacturers to report drug shortages will allow Canadians to better plan for the health and safety of their families by working with their healthcare professionals to find appropriate alternatives in advance of an anticipated shortage.
Timely, comprehensive and reliable information on actual and anticipated drug shortages will be made publicly available by manufacturers on a new, independent third-party website. While this new website and the regulations are being developed, manufacturers are expected to voluntarily post information on all shortages on the industry-run website, www.drugshortages.ca.
To reflect and encourage industry accountability, a Public Notification Register has been launched on Health Canada’s website that lists all the manufacturers that fail to voluntarily post their shortages. Once the reporting of drug shortages becomes mandatory, companies will face fines and penalties for failing to comply.
“When drug shortages occur, patients and those who care for them need timely, reliable and comprehensive information to help minimize the impact on their health. Moving to a mandatory system for reporting drug shortages will give doctors, pharmacists, healthcare practitioners and all stakeholders clear and concise information on drug shortages, so they can make the best decisions for their patients. Our Government will continue to take the necessary steps to help ensure the health and safety of Canadians and their families,”said Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health