A Health Canada spokesperson could not provide The Epoch Times with which country the drugs are coming from, an exact time frame, or the size of shipment expected, but the government promised it would be “in the coming weeks” and “will increase supply available to consumers to address the immediate situation.”
“Health Canada recognizes that drug shortages can have a significant impact on patients and health care professionals and is committed to doing its part to help mitigate the impact when they occur,” the government said.
Shortage of Antibiotics
Health Canada said there is also a shortage of a common antibiotic prescribed to children for things such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections. Four companies—Sanis Health Inc., Apotex Inc, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., and Teva Canada Limited—are reporting amoxicillin shortages.Sanis Health and GSK have both attributed the cause of the shortage to increased demand, while Apotex and Teva Canada reported that a disruption in drug manufacturing is to blame for the shortage.
Health Canada said it undertakes a careful review before deciding a foreign batch of medication will be safe and effective. Before the product is stocked on shelves, it requires labelling in both English and French. “This work is being done in parallel to obtaining the additional foreign supply,” said the government.
Health Canada also recently approved an “exceptional importation” of children’s fever and pain medication from the United States, and Australia, to supply hospitals bursting at the seams with sick children infected with respiratory syncytial virus. Distribution of the supply of ibuprofen has started.
