The pharmacy briefing

News & insight.

Canadian pharmacy and therapeutics news: recalls, shortages, guideline updates and developments in practice.

37 results
Medication Safety

Northwestern Ontario Health Unit Warns of New Nitazene Opioid After 60+ Poisonings in Two Days

Northwestern Health Unit has confirmed a newly detected synthetic opioid, clodesnitazene, in the region's unregulated drug supply after more than 60 poisonings in Kenora over two days -- pharmacists dispensing naloxone and test strips are on the front line of the response.

Sep 21, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Coastal Elite, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) -- a Halifax storefront naloxone-training sign (illustrative photo, not from Northwestern Ontario).
Practice Guidance

Cochrane Review: Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Cuts Heart Attacks 28% and Hospital Admissions 35%

A new Cochrane review of 107 trials finds structured exercise after a cardiac event meaningfully lowers heart attack and hospitalization risk, and that home-based programs work as well as centre-based ones -- evidence pharmacists can use to encourage referral and adherence.

Sep 19, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Hermes Ilarraza, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0) -- patients undergoing ergometric exercise as part of a cardiac rehabilitation program (illustrative photo).
New Approvals

Health Canada Authorizes XFG-Adapted COMIRNATY for the 2026-2027 COVID-19 Season

Health Canada has authorized an Omicron XFG-adapted Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 6 months and older, and pharmacies should plan to transition ordering and counselling to the updated formulation.

Sep 19, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
U.S. Department of Defense photo by Lisa Ferdinando, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) -- illustrative photo of a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vial, not the XFG-adapted formulation specifically.
Drug Shortages

Health Canada Designates Dacarbazine for Injection a Tier 3 Critical Shortage

Health Canada has added dacarbazine for injection, used in curative-intent regimens for Hodgkin lymphoma and metastatic melanoma, to its Tier 3 list of the most critical drug shortages -- a designation hospital oncology pharmacy teams should act on now.

Sep 19, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Linda Bartlett / National Cancer Institute, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain) -- illustrative photo of a chemotherapy IV; not the affected product.
Regulatory Update

Nunavut Deschedules Naloxone and Allows Remote Pharmacist Supervision

Nunavut's Department of Health has made interim pharmacy-practice changes ahead of a full regulatory framework -- removing naloxone from the controlled substances list, permitting remote pharmacist supervision, and letting nurse practitioners prescribe -- to address chronic pharmacist-coverage gaps in the territory's three regional pharmacies.

Sep 14, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Illustrative: a naloxone kit, not the Nunavut program specifically. Photo: James Heilman, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NaloxoneKit.jpg)
Practice Guidance

Saskatchewan Expands Pharmacist-Led Strep Throat and Ear Infection Care to Over 100 Pharmacies

The Government of Saskatchewan has accepted all 55 pharmacies that applied to join its strep throat and ear infection assessment program, pushing the pharmacist-led service past 100 locations and building on a pilot that has delivered over 11,000 services since January 2025.

Sep 14, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative photo: an otoscope ear examination (not from Saskatchewan). U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Toon, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Otoscope_exam.JPG)
Medication Safety

Vitalité Shifts New Brunswick Dialysis Patients' Medication Pickup to Community Pharmacies

Vitalité Health Network has ended direct dispensing of dialysis-related medications at its Miramichi clinic, shifting roughly 550 patients to community pharmacies -- a change the network frames as a medication-safety improvement, but that has patients worried about new out-of-pocket costs.

Sep 14, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Original editorial illustration created for this article.
Medication Safety

BC PharmaCare Flags Adhesion Problems With Menopausal Hormone Therapy Patches

BC's Ministry of Health says it is investigating reports that menopausal hormone therapy patches -- covered free under PharmaCare since March -- aren't sticking properly, and is giving pharmacists specific guidance on how to handle a loose patch and document a replacement.

Sep 14, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative: a US-labelled estradiol transdermal patch product, not the Canadian product referenced in the BC notice. Photo: Erica-Schroeder, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sandoz_Estradiol_Transdermal_System,_estrogen_patch.jpg)
Medication Safety

U of T-Led BMJ Study Identifies 24 Prescribing Cascades Putting Older Adults at Risk

A BMJ study of 2.3 million Ontario seniors, led by University of Toronto and Sinai Health researchers, pinpoints 24 common "prescribing cascades" where one drug's side effect triggers an unneeded second prescription -- and calls for pharmacists to be more directly built into catching them.

Sep 13, 2026 · 4 min read Read briefing
Image: University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine (press photo of Prof. Paula Rochon; temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/news/ontario-study-identifies-potentially-harmful-drug-combinations-prescribed-older-adults)
Drug Shortages

Dr. Reddy's Semaglutide Shortage Drags On as Generic Ozempic Struggles to Reach Pharmacies

An unresolved Health Canada-reported manufacturing shortage for Dr. Reddy's generic semaglutide, plus modest first-half sales for both approved generics, is leaving many Canadian pharmacies unable to stock a cheaper alternative to Ozempic -- even though the brand-name drug itself remains fully available.

Sep 13, 2026 · 5 min read Read briefing
Illustrative photo: an Ozempic (semaglutide) injection pen sold in China; Canadian packaging differs. Photo: HualinXMN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ozempic®_3ml.jpg)
Practice Guidance

CPhA Highlights Canada's Role at the 84th FIP World Congress in Montréal

The Canadian Pharmacists Association reported on September 9 that Canadian pharmacy leaders played a prominent role at the 84th FIP World Congress, held in Montréal for the first time since 1997, including a session on CPhA's new National Benchmark for Pharmacy Practice. The congress drew a record 3,455 delegates from 116 countries and signals growing international attention to Canada's expanding pharmacist scope of practice.

Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Photo: congresmtl.com, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palais_des_congrès_de_Montréal_et_sa_façade_colorée_signée_Mario_Saia.jpg)
Practice Guidance

N.W.T. Drafts Regulations to Expand Pharmacist Prescribing and Vaccination Authority

The Northwest Territories is drafting new pharmacy regulations that would let pharmacists prescribe for conditions like UTIs and migraines and administer most routine vaccines, according to the territory's pharmacy association president.

Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative file photo (a pharmacist administering a vaccine, not from N.W.T.): USDA photo by Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:COVID-19_Vaccination_(20210318-OC-LSC-0003).jpg)
Medication Safety

Teva Canada Recalls Novo-Gesic Forte Acetaminophen Lot Over Possible Foreign Material Contamination

Health Canada and Teva Canada announced the recall of one lot of Novo-Gesic Forte 500 mg acetaminophen tablets after tests found the tablets may contain phenolic resin or epoxy particles capable of injuring the digestive tract.

Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Image: Health Canada, official recall notice (recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/generic-acetaminophen-teva-recalled-because-it-may-contain-foreign-material)
Regulatory Update

PEBC Ends the Pharmacist Evaluating Examination After October 2026; Alberta Sets a New Pathway for Internationally Educated Graduates

PEBC’s October 2026 sitting is the last Pharmacist Evaluating Examination; from January 2027, international pharmacy graduates with a valid document evaluation go straight to the Qualifying Examination Part I. Alberta has also replaced the CCPP bridging certificate with the University of Alberta’s Diploma in Canadian Pharmacy Practice for candidates who do not pass a qualifying exam part on the first attempt.

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative examination setting; not a PEBC examination. Alison wood / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Image source
Practice Guidance

Alberta College of Pharmacy: Confirm a Provider’s Authority Before Selling Schedule 1 Drugs for Office Use

After the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta reported a man allegedly presenting himself as a physician in Edmonton without a practice permit since 2015, the Alberta College of Pharmacy reminded pharmacy teams on September 8, 2026 that Schedule 1 drugs for office use may only be sold once the provider’s authority to possess them is confirmed. The reminder applies to every community pharmacy that supplies clinic stock.

Sep 10, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Illustrative pharmacy dispensing; not a pharmacy or person involved. M Joko Apriyo Putro / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Image source
Practice Guidance

NDSAC to Consider Schedule II Status for Epinephrine Nasal Spray at Its September 20 Meeting

NAPRA’s National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee meets on September 20, 2026 to consider a request for Schedule II status for pre-filled epinephrine nasal spray devices used in anaphylaxis. If adopted by the provinces, community pharmacies would supply the device from behind the counter without a prescription.

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative nasal spray use; not the product under review. NIAID / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Image source
Medication Safety

Health Canada Posts Two August Recalls of Dr. Reddy’s Semaglutide Injection: a Mislabelled Pen, Then an Impurity Across All Lots

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Canada recalled its Semaglutide Injection 1.34 mg/mL twice in August 2026: one lot containing a 4 mg pen labelled as 2 mg (August 12), then every lot of both DINs for an out-of-specification impurity (August 27). Community pharmacies holding the product should quarantine stock and contact patients dispensed the affected lots.

Sep 10, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Illustrative injection pen; not the recalled product. Mr Hyde / Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Image source
Practice Guidance

Ontario Pharmacists Gain Nine New Minor Ailments, Technicians Gain Expanded Vaccine Authority, Effective July 1

As of July 1, 2026, Ontario pharmacists and interns can assess and prescribe for nine additional minor ailments and administer six more publicly funded vaccines, while pharmacy technicians can now administer all Schedule 3 vaccines under supervision. The Ontario College of Pharmacists has set out what changed and what training and consent steps pharmacies need in place.

Jul 1, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Illustrative pharmacy photo. National Cancer Institute / Unsplash. Image source
New Drug Approvals

Health Canada Approves Sevmia, the First Generic Semaglutide for Weight Management

Health Canada has approved Apotex's Sevmia, the first generic semaglutide authorized specifically for chronic weight management, referencing Wegovy rather than the diabetes-indicated Ozempic that earlier generics referenced. Pharmacists should be ready to explain the distinction to patients as generic semaglutide products multiply across different brand references and indications.

Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative injection equipment; not the products discussed. Diana Polekhina / Unsplash. Image source
Medication Safety

Health Canada Adds Pulmonary Aspiration Warning to All GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Product Monographs

Health Canada has completed a safety review linking GLP-1 receptor agonists — including semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, and lixisenatide — to an increased risk of pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation, and has updated the Canadian product monographs for the entire drug class. Community and hospital pharmacists are often the last clinician to see both the medication history and the upcoming procedure.

Apr 30, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative perioperative care photo. National Cancer Institute / Unsplash. Image source
Drug Shortages

Health Canada Authorizes UK and US Imports of Injectable Cyclophosphamide Amid Tier 3 Shortage

Health Canada has authorized the exceptional importation of UK- and US-labelled cyclophosphamide for injection to relieve a Tier 3 shortage of this essential chemotherapy drug, first declared in February 2026. Hospital and oncology pharmacists need to know the differences between the Canadian, UK, and US-labelled products before dispensing or preparing doses.

Apr 10, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative chemotherapy vials; not the imported products. National Cancer Institute / Unsplash. Image source
Medication Safety

ISMP Canada Bulletin: Near-Miss Oral Ingestion of a Boric Acid Vaginal Suppository Prompts Packaging Changes

A consumer nearly swallowed a boric acid vaginal suppository after mistaking the oral-look capsule for a vitamin, prompting ISMP Canada and manufacturer Szio+ Inc. to add explicit vaginal-use warnings to the Utiva Yeast Control packaging. Pharmacists selling this and similar non-prescription boric acid products need to counsel proactively, since these are self-selected products often sold without a pharmacist consult.

Feb 26, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing
Illustrative medication packaging; not the product discussed. Brett Jordan / Unsplash. Image source
Medication Safety

Health Canada Recalls Two Lots of MAR-Amlodipine After Bottles Found to Contain Midodrine Tablets

Health Canada and Marcan Pharmaceuticals recalled two lots of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg after some bottles were found to contain midodrine 2.5 mg tablets instead, a mix-up that could send a hypertensive patient's blood pressure dangerously higher or a hypotensive patient's dangerously lower. Community pharmacists need the exact lot numbers and tablet-appearance cues to check remaining stock and dispensed bottles.

Feb 7, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Illustrative medications; not the recalled products. National Cancer Institute / Unsplash. Image source

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