Canadian pharmacy and therapeutics news: recalls, shortages, guideline updates and developments in practice.
OCP has outlined upcoming controlled-substance responsibilities for pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy teams should prepare their procedures before the October 1, 2026 effective date.
Sep 8, 2026 · 1 min read Read briefingOCP is seeking feedback on a draft animal-services policy. Ontario pharmacy teams can comment until October 26, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.
Sep 8, 2026 · 1 min read Read briefing
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
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
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
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
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
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