Supply of acetaminophen, ibuprofen and cough and cold medicines: Notice 

Date issued: September 6, 2023

On this page

• Background
• What we’re doing
• What you can do
• List of acetaminophen and ibuprofen products eligible for importation and sale

Background

In late 2022 and early 2023, Canada experienced a significant shortage of products to reduce infant and children’s pain and fever (ibuprofen and acetaminophen). This shortage was because of unprecedented high demand that began in the summer of 2022 and continued through the cold and flu season. As a result, manufacturers were unable to build their inventories.

Canada also experienced supply issues for adult acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as well as certain cough and cold medicines for children and adults (such as cough syrup and decongestants).

Between November 2022 and May 2023, manufacturers in Canada increased production and released 13.9 million units of infant and children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen to the Canadian market. Over 4.4 million units of foreign-authorized infant and children's acetaminophen and ibuprofen were also imported into Canada to help augment supplies. There are about 5 million children and infants under the age of 12 in Canada.

By March 2023, the supply of acetaminophen and ibuprofen products for infants and children began to improve. In April 2023, adult and children’s ibuprofen and acetaminophen were readily available and the shortage ended. Cough and cold medicines for adults and children also became more available.

Manufacturers are:

• continuing to produce acetaminophen, ibuprofen and cough and cold drugs at high levels
• building inventories ahead of the coming cold and flu season

What we’re doing

Health Canada worked closely with stakeholders to resolve the shortage. We facilitated the sharing of information on the shortage and collaborated to identify strategies to help minimize the impacts that were felt by people in Canada. 

To help increase supply, we provided access to imported foreign authorized products by working with:

• provincial and territorial governments
• industry partners
• health care system partners
• patient groups

Measures were put in place to make sure English and French labelling information was available for all imported products.

We continue to monitor the situation and work with manufacturers to ensure enough medication is produced and available for the 2023-24 cold and flu season.

We also continue to work with manufacturers and distributors to closely monitor supply and demand of acetaminophen and ibuprofen for adults, infants and children, as well as cough and cold medicines. This helps us recognize early signs of shortages and act to reduce their impact on people in Canada as quickly and efficiently as we can.

What you can do

If you have any questions on the availability of acetaminophen, ibuprofen or cough and cold medicines, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to provide you with advice on options or alternatives if your medicine is not available. 

Learn more about drug shortages in Canada and how Canadians can deal with drug shortages.

List of acetaminophen and ibuprofen products eligible for importation and sale

Related resources

Health Canada:

• Using medications safely
• Body: Caring for a sick child
• Safe use of medication for children
• Health Canada secures additional supply of children's acetaminophen products

Canadian Paediatric Society:

• Fever and temperature taking
• Shortage of children's liquid pain and fever medications

Canadian Pharmacists Association and children's hospitals:

• Information for families and caregivers on children's fever and pain medication
• Clarification: Requirement for prescriptions for Tylenol and Advil for children