Annales pharmaceutiques françaises
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Many signs point to the growing importance of drug shortages in Canada and around the world. Although drug shortages affect clinicians and patients every day, there is a paucity of literature describing the specific problems experienced and their clinical consequences. To describe the drug shortage situation in Canada in 2016-2017 and to discuss this issue in the Canadian context. ⋯ This descriptive study highlights the high number of shortages in Canada in 2016-2017. The new federal regulation requiring declaration of drug shortages should lead to better monitoring of this problem at the national level. Although the causes of shortages are often identified, manufacturers and regulators are frequently unable to address or effectively prevent drug shortages.