On November 20, 2024, Health Canada posted Drug shortages in Canada: Fiscal year 2023 to 2024 in review. The review includes an overview of drug shortages, how Health Canada addresses shortages and the number of drug shortages from 2023 to 2024.
According to the review, from 2023 to 2024, 3,098 drug shortages were reported, an increase of around 15% relative to the 2022 to 2023 period. The average length was approximately 93.5 days.
The review also gives two examples of high-impact shortages and Health Canada’s actions in response:
- OZEMPIC (semaglutide) which was in shortage from August 2023 to February 2024 due to worldwide demand increases; and
- Prazosin which has been in shortage since early 2023 due to disruptions in the supply of its active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Life Sciences Regulatory & Compliance Group.
The preceding is intended as a timely update on Canadian intellectual property and life sciences regulatory law. The content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. To obtain such advice, please communicate with our offices directly.
Related Publications & Articles
-
Health Canada releases its Statistical Report 2024/2025 for PMNOC Regulations, data protection and CSPs
On July 25, 2025, the Office of Patented Medicines and Liaison of Health Canada released its Statistical Report 2024/2025 for the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, Data Protection...Read More -
Health Canada aims to reduce red tape by increasing international collaboration, alignment and reliance
In July 2025, the Government of Canada launched a “Red Tape Review” across all federal departments to modernize regulatory frameworks and support economic growth.Read More -
Medical devices updates: new Health Canada guidance for determining medical device application type and Medical Devices Directorate performance reports released
In August 2025, Health Canada released the Guidance for determining medical device application type.Read More