Drug Shortages

Drug Shortage in Canada!?!

Yes, all across Canada pharmacies are being faced with drug shortages.  Since  August 2009,  the list of generic prescription drugs that are unavailable due to manufacturer shortages continues to grow and grow.  Each day across Canada as pharmacists place their orders for medications from manufacturers and wholesalers,  there are more and more medications that are simply not available.

What does this mean for our patients and ourselves?

We are doing everything in our power to get any brand of your medication that we can. This means that you may be receiving a new generic brand of your medication. For example, if you were previously receiving Sandoz-Omeprazole, this time you may receive Mylan-Omeprazole.  These medications are exactly the same, just made by a different manufacturer and in many cases, there are several manufacturers of  any one drug, so we are able to make this simple substitution.

What happens if there are no brands of a particular medication available?

In this instance we attempt to order in the medication in powder form and make the product ourselves. For example, if you have been receiving Novo-metoclopramide 10 mg tablets and we can no longer order any other equivalent brand of this same medication, we have the option of compounding metoclopramide capsules.  These formulations are not identical to the commercially available product, however they contain the same active medication at the same dose.  Please keep in mind that making these formulations take extra time to prepare.  If you can talk to us 3 days to a week before you run our of your medication we can ensure that you do not experience a disruption in your therapy.   We continue to be on the look out for these short falls and are continually sourcing pharmaceutical quality chemical ingredients from which to compound custom prepared dosage forms.

What is the worst case scenario?

The worst case scenario is that we can’t get any brand of your medication and we also are unable to compound the medication. In this case, we will do our best to work with your physician to find an alternative therapy that will work the best for your condition.

Please do your best to refill your medications 3-7 days before you will run out. This will help us find alternatives for you if we are having supply problems with a medication that you are taking.

At Stafford Pharmacy we are dedicated to ensuring you receive the best health care.   Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding this issue.

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