When a critical shortage of children's cold and flu medications hit Canada last fall, HealthPRO took immediate action.

From the moment HealthPRO learned of the imminent shortage stemming from higher-than-expected cases of viruses, the contracting team actively worked with Health Canada and global suppliers to help stabilize supplies in Canadian hospitals.

In partnership with J&J Australia, HealthPRO implemented a supply agreement to bring Tylenol™ for Babies to Canada which is now available to hospital members. Another source of foreign product was also received and shipped to community pharmacies, lessening the burden on hospitals. 

In addition to helping bring in the foreign supply, HealthPRO entered into supply agreements with domestic suppliers to increase the availability of Canadian labelled product to our hospitals.

To address concerns within Canadian communities including hospitals, pharmacies and families, HealthPRO’s Vice President of Pharmacy, Christine Donaldson, spoke with several news outlets including BNN and CP24, to discuss the nation-wide shortage. She highlighted how HealthPRO’s national network allows us to bring together hospital pharmacy leaders to inform entities like Health Canada, Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada, and global suppliers to help with nationwide supply issues.

This medication shortage underscores the fragility of Canada’s supply chain and the need not only for greater local inventory and production capacity, but also for a national approach to supply assurance.