Dozens of elective procedures have been cancelled in the Outaouais area as the region deals with a drug shortage.
The drugs in short supply range from brands of morphine to antibiotics and sedatives. They're used to treat everything from pain in cancer patients to abnormal heart rhythms.
According to Outaouais health officials, 30 elective procedures were cancelled Monday and none will be performed until at least Thursday. So far, about 70 elective surgeries will be cancelled overall.
Dr. Guy Morissette tells CTV the cancellations were necessary to ensure there were enough drugs to perform more serious procedures.
"Elective surgery can be postponed but a cancer patient needing medication to treat pain or people that need emergency surgery…that kind of medicine has to be available," said Morissette.
The shortage stems from a production problem at Sandoz, a major drug company based in Boucherville, Que. The company suspended some production after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cited it for various deficiencies in relation to its safety levels and production methods.
The shortage is already being felt nationwide as pharmacies as far away as Edmonton are already rationing their drug supplies.
"This is a nationwide problem," said Morissette.
The Ottawa Hospital uses 73 drugs provided exclusively by Sandoz. Health officials are keeping a close eye on supplies but so far no surgeries in the capital have been cancelled. That could change, though, if the production problems continue.
"This is a day-to-day situation," said Dr. Rakesh Patel of the Ottawa Hospital. "It may be we have to stop some of the services we supply…"
Outaouais officials say they are also dealing with the situation on a day-to-day basis.
With reports from CTV Ottawa's Ellen Mauro and Vanessa Lee
