EDMONTON—In what would be a relief to Alberta parents with sick children at the height of respiratory virus season, the government announced Dec. 6 that 5 million bottles of children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen from the country of Turkey will be imported into the province via 10 air shipments.
The government ordered the drugs at a premium cost from Atabay Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals, a Turkish drug manufacturer based in Istanbul, and is now trying to get approval from Health Canada as required. The contract with the manufacturer is still being finalized. As soon as the licensing is complete, the government plans to distribute the shipment to various community and retail pharmacies, and will subsidize the cost to allow parents to purchase the medication at the normal retail price.
