Implementation of policy measures in March 2020 in Canada stemmed prescription drug shortages—especially generic drugs—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, finds an observational study published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).The researchers noted that, as in many other countries, drug shortages are common in Canada, with scarcity reported for nearly half of all prescription drugs over the study period.
When the pandemic began, supply chain disruptions in China and India—estimated to supply up to 80% of the world's raw ingredients and medications—and a higher demand for COVID-19 drugs, further threatened Canada's drug supply.To help ensure a steady drug supply, the Canadian minister of health allowed the importation of key drugs at high risk of shortage from countries with similarly rigorous regulatory systems.
The government also revised the country's Patent Act on Mar 25, 2020, to allow the manufacture and sale of versions of patented drugs without needing to negotiate with patent holders.
The changes were made permanent in March 2022.Shortages peaked in April 2020Led by University of Calgary researchers, the time-series analysis used data from the Drug Shortages Canada Database, which identifies and tracks shortages by drug product over time.