The Latest Advocacy News From the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society. 

CAS Medication Shortage Bulletin: Intravenous Solutions

On September 29, 2024, Baxter International (Baxter US) announced that its North Cove manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina, was damaged by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.1 This U.S. facility mainly manufactures intravenous and peritoneal dialysis solutions. This facility was responsible for a significant proportion of the intravenous fluids supply in the United States.

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Reports of Coring Issues with BD Blunt Needles

We have received reports from anesthesiologists in Ontario regarding coring issues when using BD Blunt needles to draw medications. Coring involves a small piece of the rubber stopper detaching during needle insertion, which may lead to contamination or injection of rubber fragments into patients.

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CAS Medicaltion Shortage Bulletin: Chloroprocaine Update

Chloroprocaine was withdrawn from the Canadian market in 2012 due to a corporate decision by its manufacturer, citing a shortage of essential raw materials needed for production. However, chloroprocaine remained in production and widely available in the United States and Europe.

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CAS Medication Shortage Bulletin: Endotracheal Tube Shortage

CAS has become aware that some hospitals are experiencing a shortage of endotracheal tubes. Health Canada’s Equipment Shortages Unit has shared with CAS that this is a result of a combination of factors (including a product recall and global raw materials shortage).

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CAS Medication Shortage Bulletin: Local Anesthetic Shortages

There are shortages affecting lidocaine and bupivacaine solutions that contain epinephrine. Of note, the plain formats (without epinephrine) are readily available. For lidocaine with epinephrine, there are three Canadian suppliers. Only two of the three are currently experiencing supply chain issues:

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CAS Medication Shortage Bulletin: Succinylcholine Chloride

Canadian suppliers of succinylcholine chloride in Canada are currently reporting shortages due to a combination of production interruptions and increased demand. It is expected that hospitals will see reduced supplies of this medication in the coming weeks/months and the exact duration of this supply issue is unclear at this time.

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CAS Medication Safety Bulletin: Medication Safety Bulletin: Semaglutide

As you are likely aware, we are experiencing a shortage of Sandoz Ketamine Hydrochloride that will impact supplies across Canada. This shortage is due to a quality control concern that is currently under investigation. Because of this concern there is uncertainty as to when production will resume.

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CAS Medication Shortage Bulletin: Ketamine Hydrochloride

As you are likely aware, we are experiencing a shortage of Sandoz Ketamine Hydrochloride that will impact supplies across Canada. This shortage is due to a quality control concern that is currently under investigation. Because of this concern there is uncertainty as to when production will resume.

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CAS Emergency Safety Bulletin: Medication Substitutions

As you are likely aware, we are experiencing a shortage of Sandoz Ketamine Hydrochloride that will impact supplies across Canada. This shortage is due to a quality control concern that is currently under investigation. Because of this concern there is uncertainty as to when production will resume.

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