Cypress Health Keeping an Eye on Possible Drug Shortage

A looming drug shortage across Canada isn't impacting the Cypress Health Region much yet.

Several issues with Quebec drug manufacturer Sandoz has caused the slow down and halting of production for some mostly injectable medications.

"We have spent a considerable amount of time within our region really looking at what are the impacts for us here, and being very diligent in monitoring all of our medication inventories to ensure that we know at any given moment where we stand for medication," said Health Region CEO Beth Vachon.

Vachon adds they have plans in place to stretch their supply: "Are there other therapeutic alternatives that can be used in place of injectable medications? Because there are many of these medications that come in pill form, for example."

Vachon says their inventory looks good for now, but the picture in six to twelve months is fuzzier.

Shawn Mullin talked with Beth Vachon about the possibility of an injectable drug shortage: