Advocacy in Action: May 2026
June 2, 2026
.png)
CSHP is pleased to share an update on the key advocacy and pharmacy practice initiatives that the Professional Practice team has been focused on over the past month.
Drug Shortages Case Management
Tier 3 Shortages
Paclitaxel for Injectable Suspension, Albumin-Bound –UPDATE!
Health Canada has approved the importation of U.S.-authorized Abraxane® (nab-paclitaxel) to help address the ongoing Canadian shortage. Supply is expected to become available within the next 1–2 weeks.
Canadian-authorized Abraxane® resupply is anticipated in early June. Apotex continues manufacturing additional product, with supply now expected in mid-to-late July.
A Health Canada Risk Communication is currently being finalized and will be circulated shortly.
Ifosfamide for Injection – UPDATE!
Due to an ongoing global shortage of ifosfamide, Health Canada has authorized SteriMax to import a Chinese-authorized supply of ifosfamide injection to help mitigate the national shortage.
The imported product is expected to arrive in Canada in the next 2 weeks and will be distributed under allocation through provincial drug distribution networks. While the product is labelled in Chinese, English and French translation materials and supporting information will be provided.
A Health Canada Risk Communication regarding product differences and safe use considerations is currently being finalized and will be circulated shortly.
Cyclophosphamide Injection
Intravenous cyclophosphamide remains in critical shortage across Canada, with supply challenges affecting all available manufacturers.
Current supply updates include:
- Andone: Additional UK-authorized product is expected to be released next week, with a further shipment anticipated in late June.
- Baxter: Limited supplies continue to be available through CIVA under allocation. Timing of future resupplies remains uncertain.
- Marcan: Timing of availability of Canadian-authorized product remains unclear but may extend into late summer.
- SteriMax: Proposed imported supply requires additional Health Canada review, and no near-term availability is anticipated.
Health Canada and stakeholders continue to explore additional supply options to mitigate the shortage.
CSHP, CPhA, and CAPhO, have developed a clinical resource to help pharmacists and other healthcare professionals manage this shortage. The resource is available here.
Famotidine Injection – NEW!
To help address the ongoing shortage, Health Canada has authorized the temporary importation and sale of U.S. FDA approved famotidine injection by Juno Pharma Canada and added the product to the List of Drugs for Exceptional Importation and Sale.
The imported product is equivalent to the Canadian version in terms of active ingredient, strength, formulation, and route of administration, but differs in approved indications, packaging, storage requirements, and preparation instructions
Pharmacy professionals are advised to refer to the Canadian Product Monograph for Famotidine Omega for guidance on indications, storage, and preparation to support safe and appropriate use during this period.
Benzathine Penicillin G (Bicillin L-A®) Injection – UPDATE!
The Tier 3 shortage of Pfizer’s benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin L‑A® 1,200,000 IU / 2 mL), has been extended to February 2027.
Health Canada has also extended the exceptional importation of Portuguese‑authorized Lentocilin S® 1200 (benzathine benzylpenicillin 1,200,000 IU / 4 mL) beyond the original May 15 cut-off. Although it contains the same active ingredient and is administered intramuscularly, it differs from Bicillin L-A® in formulation, reconstitution, and presentation.
For further guidance, please refer to this Health Product Risk Communication and PHAC’s guidelines for Interim Syphilis Treatment.
Intravenous Acetazolamide – NEW!
There is a critical supply shortage of the intravenous form of Acetazolamide injection product in Canada. A supply gap is expected between until July 31, 2026. Acetazolamide oral tablets remain readily available.
To support pharmacy professionals during this ongoing shortage, CSHP, the Canadian Paediatric Society, and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society have developed a clinical resource to assist with management strategies, which can be found here.
Strategic Collaborations
Presentation to Health Canada Health Product Shortages Unit and Multistakeholder Steering Committee
Pharmacy leader Spencer Tuttle and CSHP CPO Rita Dhami presented findings from the 2023/34 Hospital Pharmacy in Canada (HPC) survey’s special sections on drug shortages to Health Canada’s Health Product Shortages Unit and the Multistakeholder Steering Committee. Their presentation highlighted the critical role pharmacy professionals play on the front lines of shortage mitigation and underscored that drug shortages remain a persistent and growing system level challenge, with significant operational, clinical, and workforce impacts on patient care.
Consultations
CSHP has participated in the following consultations:
- 2026 Palliative Care Services – Public Review - Health Standards Organization Consultation | Submitted: April 15
- View executive summary available here.
- Critical Care Services - Healthcare Education Public Review - Health Standards Organization Consultation | Submitted: April 28
- View executive summary available here.
- Primary Health Care Services – Public Review - Health Standards Organization Consultation | Submitted: April 29
- View executive summary available here.
- Nunavut Professions Act Regulations Consultation | Submitted: May 8
- View executive summary available here.
We are continuing to work on our response for the following consultation. Members are invited share their feedback to inform CSHP’s national response by sending feedback to [email protected].
To catch up on CSHP advocacy news, click here.
Have a question about Advocacy in Action or CSHP's advocacy and consultation work?
Reach out to our professional practice team!