‘Extremely unfortunate situation’: Canada has shortages of these common painkillers

CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association Justin Bates on why finding some common painkillers may be tougher this summer.

It may be tougher to find some common painkillers mainly used for chronic conditions, with a Canadian pharmacist group saying the shortages could last until Aug. 10.

Some of the drugs, which contain acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone, “have become harder to get” due to manufacturing disruptions and increased demand, according to a notice posted on Health Canada’s website on July 18.

Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, told CP24 Breakfast on Tuesday that the situation is “extremely unfortunate.” However, he expects the drugs to be restocked by Aug. 10.

“I want to reassure people that this is going to be corrected with a major resupply,” including from the primary manufacturer of drugs like Tylenol No. 3 and Percocet, Bates said.

“We’re doing everything we can to ration supply … before the resupply hits the market.”

Who is affected?

Bates said the shortages mostly affect those with chronic pain. In some cases, they affect those with acute or short-term pain, such as from dental surgeries.

Why are there shortages?

The national shortages of some prescription pain medication are due to a manufacturing disruption involving one major supplier, which has a “rippling effect” for other manufacturers, Dr. Sadaf Faisal, director of professional affairs at the Canadian Pharmacists Association, told CTV Your Morning on Tuesday.

Advice for consumers

Bates advised those affected to consult their pharmacist and doctor and have a non-expired naloxone kit, which can prevent the possibly fatal effects of an opioid overdose.

The challenge will be finding alternatives and safely transitioning to other drugs, particularly for those with chronic pain, he added.

“It is going to have to be a team-based approach to look for alternatives,” Bates said.

Still, Faisal tried to ease concerns.

“We should not panic,” she told CTV Your Morning. “There are alternatives available that your pharmacist and doctor can choose … and help you to navigate this shortage.”

Government’s response to shortages

Health Canada said addressing the shortage is a “top priority,” noting it is increasing access to the products and working with health-care providers, provincial and territorial officials, manufacturers and distributors to share information and monitor supply.

It stated that Teva Canada Limited, Apotex Inc. and Laboratoire Riva Inc. market acetaminophen with oxycodone.

“Teva is reporting a shortage because of manufacturing disruptions and Apotex and Riva are reporting shortages because of increased demand,” according to the notice.

In addition, Teva Canada Limited, Laboratoire Riva Inc. and Pharmascience Inc. market acetaminophen with codeine in various formats and strengths, according to the notice.

Teva is reporting shortages of its narcotic pain reliever Lenoltec because of manufacturing disruptions, Health Canada wrote. Riva and Pharmascience are not able to meet the increased demand from Teva’s shortage of Lenoltec, although they aren’t reporting shortages, Health Canada added.

Watch the video above for the full interview.