Hydrocortisone Tablets and Injectables Shortages
April 13, 2023 update: shortage of Solu-Cortef® Act-o-Vials 100 mg
Estimated date of resolution: June 30, 2023.
medSask has a helpful conservation strategy and dose conversion document here (updated September 2022):
December 13, 2022: shortage of Cortef® 10-mg tablets and anticipated shortage of Cortef® 20-mg tablets
There is currently a shortage of Cortef® 10-mg tablets, beginning today, with an estimated estimated date of return to market of February 13, 2023. There is also an anticipated shortages of Cortef® 20-mg tablets, estimated to begin January 14, 2023 and ending February 17, 2023.
medSask has a helpful conservation strategy document here (updated April 2022):
December 1, 2022: shortages of all Solu-Cortef® Act-o-Vials resolved
All strengths of Solu-Cortef® Act-o-Vials (100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg) are now available.
September 26, 2022: ongoing shortages of all Solu-Cortef® Act-o-Vials
All strengths of the the Solu-Cortef® ActO-Vials (100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg) are now on allocation status. Preventive measures are in place.
medSask has a helpful conservation strategy and dose conversion document here (updated September 2022):
July 6, 2022 update: estimated date of end of shortage
The current (unguaranteed) estimated date of the hydrocortisone 10-mg (Cortef®) tablet shortage is July 25, 2022.
June 6, 2022 update: importation of US-labelled Cortef® 10-mg tablet due to shortage of Canadian-labelled product
See announcement from manufacturer:
May 18, 2022 update: US supply of hydrocortisone
Health Canada has added US-labelled hydrocortisone (Cortef®) 10-mg Oral Tablets to the list of drugs for exceptional importation and sale on May 18. Designated drugs are eligible for exceptional importation into Canada. US-labelled supply should be made available in Canada before Canadian-authorised supply is depleted in June.
April 1, 2022: new shortage reported
Pfizer Canada is reporting a shortage of hydrocortisone (Cortef®) 10-mg tablets from mid-June to end of September, 2022.
CSEM is advocating with Health Canada for a consistent supply of this life-saving medication. The Cortef® 10-mg tablet shortage has been classified as a Tier 3 shortage. Drugs in or at risk of Tier 3 shortages may be eligible for exceptional importation and sale. At present there is no reported shortage of Cortef® 20-mg tablets.
CSEM will continue to advocate for uninterrupted supply to ensure the well-being of patients, and we'll keep you informed. Shortage and discontinuation reports are available on the Drug Shortages Canada website.
medSask has a helpful conservation strategy document here (updated April 2022):
February 4, 2021 update: shortage resolved
The oral hydrocortisone tablet shortage is resolved.
December 21, 2020: possible shortage reported
CSEM is aware of a possible shortage of hydrocortisone (Cortef®) 10 mg. While Pfizer Canada’s stock of hydrocortisone (10-mg tablets) has been depleted, new supply is on track for mid-January, 2021. Additionally, it is anticipated that there is currently enough product at the community pharmacy level to cover the supply gap. Pfizer has issued the following notice to pharmacies informing them of the backlog and suggesting conservation of inventory when possible:
medSask has a helpful conservation strategy document here: https://medsask.usask.ca/documents/drug-shortages-pdfs/hydrocortisone_shortage.pdf.
We will continue to remain in contact with Pfizer Canada and Health Canada's Drug Shortage Unit for regular updates and we will keep you keep you informed.