Canada lacks pain reliever. What do you know here

Canada is usually lacking some of the prescribed painkillers, because companies that supplies them to deal with manufacturing disruption and increasing demand, according to A Information Health published on Canada’s website.

The drugs in the question are acetaminophen with codeine (sometimes known as Tyylnol 3) and acetaminophen with oxicodone (sometimes sold under the brand name peroset).

As a result of the deficiency, the Health Canada notice said that it has become difficult to get these drugs and “cannot always be available.”

What should you know here?

Manufacturing troubles cause wave effects

Health Canada notice states that acetaminophen deficiency with codine is associated with manufacturing disruption reported by TEVA Canada Limited, resulting in the demand and shortage reported by Apotex Inc and Laboratoire Riva INC, other companies that marketing drugs in Canada.

Teva’s manufacturing problems are also affecting the supply of acetaminophen with oxycodone, making other companies for an increased demand.

In a statement, Teva said that the problem is “due to a slight delay in our supply chain related to our supplier’s active drug component (API) shipment.”

The company says it is “expected to expedite the production of initial supply in early August 2025” and to restore the entire supply in Canada by September.

Mark Johnson, a spokesman from Health Canada, said in a statement that the agency is working closely with manufacturers, health care providers and provinces and regions to monitor the situation and to detect options to increase access. “

Associate Professor Meena Tadras, along with the faculty of pharmacy at the University of Toronto, said, “You never want to see a shortage, duration. But you definitely don’t want to see it with it.”

Tadrus says that these drugs are prescribed for both acute pain-after a surgery or dental process for example-and for chronic pain, for patients who require them on a long-term basis.

He says that a pharmaceutical supply problems for the company can affect supply throughout Canada.

“We see a domino effect. One drug is lacking, everyone switchs to another generic,” he said. “Through that trick.”

‘Don’t panic,’ says pharmacist

While the deficiency can complicate things for patients and pharmacists, the Canadian Pharmacist Association says that pharmacists are used to manage drug deficiency and help patients through them.

Sadaf Faisal, a pharmacist and senior director of professional affairs at the Canadian Pharmacist Association, said, “Good news is that options are available.”

Faisal said the association health is in close contact with Canada and is closely monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, the patients are advised by her advice: “Don’t panic. Talk to your health care providers, go to your pharmacist. They have resources available that provide safe options.”

She advises patients not to wait until they are out of their medicines to renew the prescription.

What pharmacists are doing

Association has published Clinical resources For pharmacists because they navigate the deficiency. It provides guidance on appropriate alternative drugs, switching strategies and how to monitor changes.

Faisal says that pharmacists can work with patients to fix appropriate options according to their terms, medicines and medical history,

“It is based on the situation,” he said. “It is not a shape that all attitude fits.”

Tadrus says that patients will still be treated and require those medicines, but notes can do additional work for drug deficiency pharmacies and physicians.

“It is still a burden to a already spread system,” he said.