Key Points

Question  How frequently are reports of drug-related supply chain issues associated with drug shortages in the US vs Canada?

Findings  In this cross-sectional study, there were 104 reports of drug-related supply chain issues that occurred from 2017 to 2021 in both countries. Within 12 months of the reported supply chain issues, 49.0% were associated with drug shortages in the US compared with 34.0% in Canada.

Meaning  Drug shortages were less frequent in Canada compared with in the US after drug-related supply chain issues were reported in both countries. These findings inform ongoing policy development and highlight the need for international cooperation between countries to curb the effects of drug shortages and improve the resiliency of the supply chain for drugs.

Abstract

Importance  Drug shortages are a persistent public health issue that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the US and Canada follow similar regulatory standards and require reporting of drug-related supply chain issues that may result in shortages. However, it is unknown what proportion are associated with meaningful shortages (defined by a significant decrease in drug supply) and whether differences exist between Canada and the US.

Objective  To compare how frequently reports of drug-related supply chain issues in the […]