Monitoring the Global Ifosfamide Supply Situation   

HealthPRO Canada is actively monitoring a global shortage of ifosfamide, an essential oncology medication affecting healthcare organizations in Canada and internationally.   

While HealthPRO Canada's contracted supplier has not publicly identified the cause of the shortage, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has attributed the disruption to a technical issue at the manufacturing facility responsible for producing ifosfamide.   

In response, we continue to work closely with manufacturers, suppliers, healthcare organizations, clinicians, and government partners to support ongoing access to available supply and minimize potential impacts on patient care.   

National Response and Supply Coordination   

As a member of the Provincial and Territorial Drug Shortage Task Team, HealthPRO Canada participated in a national risk and gap assessment to evaluate potential mitigation strategies.   

The assessment concluded that the controlled importation of a foreign-labelled ifosfamide product represented the lowest-risk option for maintaining access to this essential medication. Health Canada has since authorized the exceptional importation of a foreign-labelled ifosfamide product to help address supply constraints. HealthPRO Canada continues to collaborate with the Canadian importer, manufacturers, and healthcare partners to support implementation planning, equitable distribution, and ongoing access for Member organizations.   

Key Response Activities   

HealthPRO Canada is actively supporting the healthcare system through several coordinated mitigation initiatives:   

• National coordination and stakeholder engagement: Ongoing collaboration with Health Canada, provincial and territorial partners, manufacturers, importers, healthcare organizations, and clinical stakeholders to support access and continuity of supply.   

• Supply monitoring and allocation management: Continuous monitoring of product availability, recovery timelines, demand patterns, and allocation requirements to help support equitable distribution of available inventory.   

• Implementation planning for imported product: Supporting healthcare organizations in preparing for the introduction and use of the foreign-labelled product through coordinated communication and implementation planning activities.   

• Risk assessment and mitigation: Ongoing evaluation of potential risks associated with supply constraints and imported product implementation, with mitigation strategies developed to support safe use.     

 Supporting Safe Implementation   

 To assist Member organizations with the transition to the imported product, HealthPRO Canada has:   

• Developed risk mitigation and change management guidance through HealthPRO Canada's Product Quality Team.   

• Identified key differences between imported and Canadian-labelled products and provided recommendations to support safe implementation within hospital pharmacies and oncology programs.   

• Maintained active engagement with manufacturers and the Canadian importer through HealthPRO Canada's Drug Shortage Team to monitor supply recovery efforts, identify mitigation opportunities, and support equitable allocation as the situation evolves.     

Guidance for Members   

HealthPRO Canada encourages Members to review implementation guidance provided for the imported product and continue following established medication management and shortage mitigation processes within their organizations.   

Close collaboration among pharmacy teams, oncology programs, clinicians, and procurement stakeholders will remain important in supporting safe implementation and maintaining continuity of patient care during this period of constrained supply.   

Guidance has been developed to help Members safely implement the imported product, including risk mitigation, change management considerations, and key differences from Canadian-labelled products. To access the guidance documentation:  

Our Commitment   

HealthPRO Canada remains committed to supporting Members through proactive shortage management, ongoing market monitoring, and coordinated collaboration across the healthcare system.   

As the situation evolves, Members will continue to receive timely updates regarding product availability, recovery timelines, implementation considerations, and recommended mitigation strategies. We will continue working with manufacturers, suppliers, clinicians, healthcare organizations, and government partners to help preserve access to this essential medication and support continuity of patient care across Canada.