{"id":22029,"date":"2025-07-25T21:18:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T21:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/22029\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T21:18:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T21:18:09","slug":"canada-experiencing-shortage-of-certain-commonly-used-painkillers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/22029\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada experiencing shortage of certain commonly used painkillers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canada is currently experiencing a nationwide shortage of commonly used prescription pain medication.<\/p>\n

Health Canada recently issued a notice<\/a> about the short supply of acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrugs that contain acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone are used to relieve pain. Some of these drugs are experiencing shortages and have become harder to get,\u201d it reads.<\/p>\n

Tylenol 3 is an example of prescription pain medication containing acetaminophen combined with codeine. An example of acetaminophen with oxycodone is the brand Percocet.<\/p>\n

\"shortage\"<\/p>\n

FOOD PHOTO STOCK\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Teva Canada Limited, Apotex Inc. and Laboratoire Riva Inc. are the pharmaceutical companies that market acetaminophen with oxycodone in Canada.<\/p>\n

According to the public health agency, Teva is reporting a shortage due to manufacturing disruptions, while Apotex and Riva are reporting shortages due to increased demand.<\/p>\n

Teva Canada Limited, Laboratoire Riva Inc., and Pharmascience Inc. market acetaminophen with codeine in different formats and strengths. Health Canada says Teva is experiencing shortages of Lenoltec due to manufacturing disruptions.<\/p>\n

Although Riva and Pharmascience aren\u2019t reporting shortages, the agency says they cannot meet the increased demand from Teva\u2019s shortage of Lenoltec.<\/p>\n

Health Canada says it\u2019s communicating with health care providers, provincial and territorial governments, and distributors to inform Canadians about the shortage, which could last until early August.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re also working with manufacturers and stakeholders to monitor the supply of acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone and looking at options for increasing access to these products,\u201d reads the notice.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPA) is aware of the shortage and has shared a clinical resource<\/a> with guidance on alternatives for patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cWidespread supply constraints are expected to persist until early August, when a significant resupply is anticipated,\u201d reads a notice<\/a> from the CPA.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udd95 New #DrugShortage<\/a> Resource<\/p>\n

Canada is experiencing a national shortage of acetaminophen with oxycodone and acetaminophen with codeine products.<\/p>\n

To support #pharmacy<\/a> teams, CPhA has developed a clinical resource with guidance on patient management and therapeutic\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/YYHGzwd9hl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CPhA\/APhC (@CPhAAPhC) July 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

What Canadians can do amid the shortage<\/p>\n

Health Canada advises Canadians who take the affected pain medications to speak with their doctor or pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns about availability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey may be able to offer other options if your medication is not available,\u201d reads the notice.<\/p>\n

The public health agency also reminds Canadians to use a licensed pharmacy to get medication, only buy products that are authorized for sale in Canada, and to avoid buying from unlicensed and unverified online sellers.<\/p>\n