Shortage of prescription painkillers in Canada expected to last until 2026

Hannah Alberga · The Canadian Press

· Posted: Nov 04, 2025 10:57 AM EST | Last Updated: November 4

Pharmacists accidental a shortage of medications that incorporate oxycodone is expected to proceed successful Canada into the caller year, portion proviso of different benignant of painkiller has accrued since a countrywide disruption successful the summer.

In July, Health Canada sent retired a announcement astir a shortage of drugs that incorporate acetaminophen with oxycodone, which includes those by the marque sanction Percocet.

There was besides a shortage of acetaminophen with codeine, which includes Tylenol 3.

It was expected to past until aboriginal autumn and was caused by manufacturing disruptions.

These medications are prescribed to dainty a scope of ailments, from acute injuries to chronic backmost pain.

Sadaf Faisal, elder manager of nonrecreational affairs astatine the Canadian Pharmacists Association, said the codeine-containing medications specified arsenic Tylenol 3 are backmost successful stock. Supply is inactive constricted for Tylenol 2 and 4, which she said are prescribed little often.

The shortage of drugs containing acetaminophen with oxycodone is ongoing and Faisal said the shaper has indicated immoderate proviso volition beryllium disposable successful December, though determination volition beryllium constraints due to the fact that of backmost orders.

"We are hoping that by the caller twelvemonth the concern volition improve," Faisal said.

She said determination are different symptom medications with akin ingredients that wellness providers tin prescribe arsenic alternatives.

Mina Tadrous, an subordinate prof successful the University of Toronto's module of pharmacy, said switching a patient's painkiller tin instrumentality a batch of clip and resources, placing unit connected an already stretched system.

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"Talking to pharmacists and a squad aboriginal earlier you tally retired of medications is truthful important due to the fact that nary 1 wants to beryllium dealing with it the time that you person thing left," Tadrous said.

At immoderate fixed time, determination are betwixt 1,500 and 2,000 progressive cause shortages successful the country, according to the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

Tadrous said it's erstwhile shortages deed commonly utilized medications that the repercussions are felt connected a larger scale.

"When a shortage happens oregon immoderate proviso concatenation interruption happens, it's benignant of similar a slow-moving train. That takes clip and past benignant of hits," Tadrous said.

"The occupation is, erstwhile it's depleted, it besides takes months to replenish it."

Canadian Press wellness sum receives enactment done a concern with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely liable for this content.