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Source: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releas...ng-drug-shortages-due-to-covid-863583683.html
Ontario's doctors warn of looming drug shortages due to COVID
News provided by
Ontario Medical Association
Jan 19, 2021, 10:26 ET
TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2021 /CNW/ - With COVID cases skyrocketing and hospital admissions rising, Ontario's doctors warn that the province may once again face serious drug shortages.
The onset of the pandemic in early 2020 raised concerns about securing sufficient supplies of imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from China and India, which supply most of the APIs used in North America. Between early March and mid-June of 2020, Ontario doctors and pharmacists were asked to dispense 30 days or less of medication at a time for Ontario Drug Benefit recipients to ensure there was an adequate supply during the first wave of COVID.
In August, Canada's doctors and pharmacists wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pointing to shortages of essential and critical care medications exacerbated by the pandemic, including propofol, ketamine, succinylcholine, fentanyl, midazolam and more. These drugs are essential in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in critical care and are also used in operating rooms, emergency departments and palliative care settings. Health-care professionals have also seen shortages in antibiotics.
In a white paper released today, A Remedy for Canada's Drug Shortage Dilemma, the Ontario Medical Association recommends that Canada increase domestic production of essential drugs and that all levels of government work together to ensure a sufficient stockpile of essential medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Chronic drug shortages have worsened during the pandemic and may become even more serious if hospitals become overwhelmed with COVID cases in the coming weeks," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "Drug shortages can be catastrophic for patients, causing treatment delays, increased suffering, financial burden and an increased risk of overdose and underdose."
In addition to increasing domestic drug manufacturing capacity and ensuring a sufficient stockpile of essential drugs, the Ontario Medical Association recommends that...
Ontario's doctors warn of looming drug shortages due to COVID
News provided by
Ontario Medical Association
Jan 19, 2021, 10:26 ET
TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2021 /CNW/ - With COVID cases skyrocketing and hospital admissions rising, Ontario's doctors warn that the province may once again face serious drug shortages.
The onset of the pandemic in early 2020 raised concerns about securing sufficient supplies of imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from China and India, which supply most of the APIs used in North America. Between early March and mid-June of 2020, Ontario doctors and pharmacists were asked to dispense 30 days or less of medication at a time for Ontario Drug Benefit recipients to ensure there was an adequate supply during the first wave of COVID.
In August, Canada's doctors and pharmacists wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pointing to shortages of essential and critical care medications exacerbated by the pandemic, including propofol, ketamine, succinylcholine, fentanyl, midazolam and more. These drugs are essential in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in critical care and are also used in operating rooms, emergency departments and palliative care settings. Health-care professionals have also seen shortages in antibiotics.
In a white paper released today, A Remedy for Canada's Drug Shortage Dilemma, the Ontario Medical Association recommends that Canada increase domestic production of essential drugs and that all levels of government work together to ensure a sufficient stockpile of essential medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Chronic drug shortages have worsened during the pandemic and may become even more serious if hospitals become overwhelmed with COVID cases in the coming weeks," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "Drug shortages can be catastrophic for patients, causing treatment delays, increased suffering, financial burden and an increased risk of overdose and underdose."
In addition to increasing domestic drug manufacturing capacity and ensuring a sufficient stockpile of essential drugs, the Ontario Medical Association recommends that...