Drug Shortage in Canada

[epileric]

This is scary, especially if you're on Clobozam in Canada.

Canadian pharmacists are warning of a worsening drug shortage that they say has led to increased difficulties in locating medication for patients which, in some cases, has compromised patient care.

In a new national survey released Monday, 66 per cent of doctors reported that a national drug shortage had worsened since 2010, while more than 94 per cent of pharmacists reported having difficulty locating a medication for a patient in the previous week.

Of the pharmacists surveyed, 41 per cent said drug shortages had compromised their patients’ health. Both the doctors and pharmacists surveyed warned that in addition to delaying access to medication, shortages often mean patients are stuck with less-effective drugs. The use of alternate drugs can also increase the risk the patient has an adverse reaction, they said.

Pharmacists warn worsening drug shortage will compromise patient care

 

[cazzy]

bloody hope ok in uk as i take clobozam

 

[epileric]

Shortage makes Canadian news again

It does include Valproic Acid

Canada is facing a major drug shortage problem and authorities must do more to notify patients when supplies of the medications they rely on are dwindling, as well as investigate the causes of the shortages, says the president of the Canadian Medical Association.

There are now more than 500 drugs listed on Health Canada's drug shortages website. Recent additions to the list include the anti-inflammatory drug Naproxen and the epilepsy drug Valproic Acid.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/panic-...e-information-sharing-1.1885093#ixzz35f93TIRn

On the upside you can now share your 2 cents

But it appears that Health Canada is taking steps to assess the issue. The agency recently launched a public consultation website, where Canadians can give feedback on the way drug shortages are reported.

The consultation site is accepting submissions until July 5. Canadians can also participate by downloading a PDF form and mailing it to Health Canada.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/panic-...e-information-sharing-1.1885093#ixzz35f9JvQoE

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/panic-situation-top-doctor-critical-of-drug-shortage-information-sharing-1.1885093

 

[Shelley]

Does the online Canadian pharmacies have an effect?

 

[epileric]

Does the online Canadian pharmacies have an effect?

I really don't see how online pharmacies would have an effect.

I'm not even sure it's legal to sell pharmaceuticals online in Canada. Most the Canadian online pharmacies I hear about are marketing to the US.

 

[walkerjm3]

There are constantly drug shortages. I was on Ritalin last year for my concentration issues and had a very hard time finding a pharmacy that could order it in. The FDA wasn't permitting enough ingredients to make the pills. It was a problem for some time.

 

[Shelley]

It seems like there is a need to control supplies of meds we need.
I'm having to wait because suddenly, the insurance (for the last several refills) needs to verify that I need it.

 

[Ruth]

Most the Canadian online pharmacies I hear about are marketing to the US.

That could be part of the problem, if the Canadian pharmacies are selling online in the USA to make more money.

Jeff Morrison said that it is becoming an international problem.

I have noticed that we are having to get more new prescriptions from our doctors.

Do you have the alternative of getting your medicines by mail for 3 months? We can do that here from our Insurance Company. There are only two of my medicines that I can get only one month at a time, Clonazepam.

 

[epileric]

That could be part of the problem, if the Canadian pharmacies are selling online in the USA to make more money.


Do you have the alternative of getting your medicines by mail for 3 months? We can do that here from our Insurance Company. There are only two of my medicines that I can get only one month at a time, Clonazepam.

I do have the option of getting my meds every 3 months from my pharmacist. That isn't a problem unless it's a narcotic.

I don't think online pharmacies are part of the problem though I have to admit it is a possibility. I know as of the end of 2012 the American Government was cracking down on online Canadian pharmacies.

Canadian online pharmacies face U.S. ban

 

[Ruth]

I would not be surprised if online medications are International. Everything else is on the Internet.

 

[Matthew74]

There doesn't seem to be much interest in reporting the cause, but I found the following...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/03/17/drug_shortages_single_supplier_for_generic_injectables_at_root_of_crisis_in_canada.html

http://www.canadadrugshortage.com/causes/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3278171/