COVID-19's limited impact on drug shortages in Canada

Abstract

Using data from the Drug Shortages Canada website, we ask whether the fi rst months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were associated with a signifi cant increase in drug shortages in Cana- da. We fi nd an increase of 147 shortages (32 percent) reported by manufacturers during March and April 2020 relative to the same months in previous years. The upsurge was concentrated during the two-week period from 25 March to 7 April 2020, after which report counts returned to usual levels. Excess reports cite both supply-side and demand-side causes for shortages. Increases were noted in therapeutic classes associated with COVID-19 care.