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Calgary Herald

'It's a mess': Calgary pharmacists scrambling to help patients amid nationwide painkiller shortage

Canada is experiencing a nationwide shortage of some of the most widely prescribed painkillers, leaving Calgary pharmacists working to find creative solutions so patients aren't left in pain. Article content Health Canada issued a notice this week warning that medications combining acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone are in short supply. The shortage affects several widely used painkillers, including multiple strengths of Lenoltec (Tylenol 1, 2, 3 and 4). Article content Article content Article content Acetaminophen with oxycodone is marketed in Canada by Teva Canada Limited, Apotex Inc. and Laboratoire Riva Inc. According to Health Canada, Teva is reporting a shortage due to manufacturing disruptions, while Apotex and Riva are facing shortages driven by increased demand. Article content Article content Acetaminophen with codeine is sold in different formats by Teva, Riva and Pharmascience Inc. Teva has reported shortages of Lenoltec, while Riva and Pharmascience are not officially short but cannot meet the surge in demand caused by Teva's supply issues, the notice states. Article content 'As a result, acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone may not always be available,' Health Canada said. Article content At Luke's Drug Mart in Bridgeland, pharmacist David Brewerton said patients are 'frantic' as pharmacists work to mitigate the fallout of what he called a 'serious' shortage. Article content Article content 'We can't fill what we would like to be able to fill,' he said, noting the pharmacy only has 'tiny amounts' of Lenoltec in all strengths. 'We're looking anywhere from late August into October to get stock back in. Article content 'We won't take a (prescription) transfer because we don't even have enough to supply the people that we're already supplying,' he said. Article content Brewerton noted the shortage is not new and has been going on for several months, forcing pharmacists to find solutions to mitigate the fallout. Article content 'We've been finding workarounds in the majority of cases,' he said. 'Sometimes there are alternatives that we can put together that will match it. Article content