The Issue: Due to the shortage of Canadian-labelled hydralazine 20 mg/mL X 1 mL vials from SteriMax, Health Canada has authorized the importation of a US-labelled product. NH pharmacy will soon have supply of this USlabelled product available for use in NH facilities.
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The issue: Methotrimeprazine 25 mg/mL x 1 mL injectable is a single source item from Sanofi-Aventis who has indicated the drug is not currently available to order.
Resolution: The shortage of sodium phosphate 3 mmol/mL injection has resolved and NH pharmacy now has access to an adequate ongoing supply.
The Issue: Due to unprecedented demand for propofol across Canada throughout the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Canada previously approved the importation of US-labelled propofol 10 mg/mL X 100 mL vials from Sagent Pharmaceuticals (Omega) as a national safety stock.
The issue: EPINEPHrine 1 mg/10 mL pre-filled syringes (PFS) are in short supply from the sole source vendor in Canada (Pfizer) and likely to go on backorder soon. NH has approximately 5 to 6 weeks of stock in pharmacies and available as wardstock.
The issue: Voriconazole 200 mg injectable is in short supply from the sole source vendor in Canada, Fresenius Kabi. This is a fairly low use item in NH, but remaining supply will need to be conserved in order to prevent any stock outs.
The Issue: Fresenius Kabi has changed the appearance of vial labelling and colour of vial caps for their heparin 5000 units/0.5 mL vials in order to improve safety by differentiating from other look-alike products.