Your Independent Ally During Drug Shortages

Your usual medication is out of stock. Or it’s in stock, but this month the pills are a different colour. Drug shortages are now a regular part of pharmacy in Canada, and they’re frustrating for everyone. Here’s what’s happening when they hit, and what we do so you don’t go without.

Why Shortages Happen

Drug shortages can come from manufacturing problems, a shortage of a raw ingredient, a recall, a spike in demand, or a company deciding to stop making a product. Your pharmacy doesn’t set the supply, and it doesn’t set the price. What we can control is how hard we work to find you an alternative.

Drug companies in Canada have to report shortages and discontinuations to Drug Shortages Canada, a public database you can search yourself. When a shortage hits a medication you take, we usually know before you do.

According to the Canadian Pharmacists Association, pharmacists spend up to 20% of their time managing drug shortages. Some shortages are harder than others. When a controlled substance is short, as happened with acetaminophen with codeine and acetaminophen with oxycodone, any substitution needs your doctor’s approval, which takes extra time.

Why Your Pills Might Look Different This Month

If you open your refill and the tablets are a different colour, shape or size, there’s usually a simple reason:

• A different manufacturer. Many medications are made by several companies. Each version has the same active ingredient and strength, but each company’s tablets look different.
• A shortage. If one manufacturer’s version is out of stock, we may fill your prescription with another company’s equivalent so you don’t run out.
• Your drug plan. Some plans only cover a particular version of a medication.

Even if you think you know why, ask us anyway. It takes a minute, and it’s always better than skipping a dose because something looked wrong. And on the rare occasion something really is wrong, you’ve helped us catch it.

What We Do That Never Shows Up on Your Receipt

Much of a pharmacist’s work happens out of sight. During a shortage, and every other day, your Centrum pharmacist:

• Tracks down your medication when it’s out everywhere, calling suppliers and other pharmacies
• Calls your doctor when a dose looks off, or when a substitution needs their approval
• Checks every medication you take against each other before anything is filled
• Looks for a lower-cost option when the price is a problem
• Answers your questions at the counter, with no appointment and no charge

If you’ve ever waited on hold with us, this is usually why: a pharmacist was in the middle of a safety check, like confirming a dose for a child or calling a prescriber about an interaction. We’ll get to you as quickly as we safely can.

Why an Independent Pharmacy Has More Options

Centrum Pharmacy is independently owned. Unlike many chain pharmacies, we’re not tied to a single supply chain. We can source medications directly from manufacturers, from multiple wholesalers, or from independent suppliers across Canada. That flexibility gives us a better chance of finding your medication when others can’t.

It also means we can act quickly, without waiting on a head office decision, and work directly with your prescriber on a safe alternative when we need one.

What You Can Do

• Don’t wait until your last pill. Order refills a few days early (online with Quick Refill), so we have time to find stock or contact your doctor.
• Ask if something looks different. A new colour or shape is usually a different manufacturer, but always worth checking.
• Never stop or change a medication on your own because of a shortage. Talk to us first. We’ll work with you and your doctor on the next best option.
• Avoid unlicensed online sellers. Shortages bring out fake and unsafe products. See our warning on fake and unauthorized GLP-1 medications for how to spot them.

Talk to Your Centrum Pharmacist

If a medication you rely on is hard to find, or your refill looks different, come talk to us. Shortages aren’t something any pharmacy can fix alone, but we’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re never left without.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.