Testosterone Injectable Shortage

March 28, 2024 update:

Health Canada has informed CSEM that Bausch Health has discontinued production of Delatestryl®. For more details, please see the Drug Shortages Canada report. However, a generic version of the same strength will be available through Hikma Canada Limited. Testosterone Enanthate Injection, 200 mg/mL is now available at the wholesale level. Drug formulary coverage in all provinces and territories is expected to be effective by Spring 2024. Please let us know if you have any questions or difficulty accessing this medication.

January 20, 2023 update:

There is a shortage of Delatestryl® starting today, estimated to be resolved April 24, 2023.

November 4, 2022 update:

The shortage of Delatestryl® has been resolved.

November 11, 2022 update:

There is a shortage of Delatestryl® starting today, estimated to be resolved December 9, 2022.

October 27, 2022 update:

There is a shortage of Taro-Testosterone® starting today, estimated to be resolved January 27, 2023.

December 10, 2021 update:

The Depo-Testosterone® shortage has been extended to April 1, 2023.

September 13, 2021 update:

The Delatestryl® shortage has been resolved.

May 12, 2021 update: shortages begin

Health Canada is aware of a possible Testosterone injectable shortage pending and is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with all stakeholders across the drug supply chain to identify mitigation strategies. Two Market Authorization Holders, Bausch Health and Pfizer Canada are currently reporting anticipated shortages on the drugshortagescanada.ca website. For further information on availability, please contact the manufacturer(s) directly.

A third Market Authorization Holder has recently entered the market — Taro Pharmaceuticals — which currently sells testosterone cypionate in Canada (product monograph). Taro is not reporting a shortage and has confirmed that it has adequate supplies available.

Health Canada will continue to monitor Testosterone injectable supply and will keep CSEM informed if any delays are reported for the expected resupplies.

March 31, 2021: testosterone supply issues

CSEM has been meeting with Health Canada's Drug Shortage Unit regarding supply issues for testosterone injections: testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone®) and testosterone enanthate (Delatestryl®). We have learned that supply issues are due to Pfizer prioritizing COVID-19 vaccine production until mid-2022. Bausch Health and Taro Pharmaceuticals have increased their supply to help mitigate any shortages. Note that Taro-testosterone is not currently covered under the Ontario Drug Benefits program. Taro-testosterone is not interchangeable with Depo-Testosterone. If switching products, physicians will need to write new prescriptions as it is not an automatic switch at the pharmacy.

October 2, 2020: testosterone supply issues

CSEM is aware of ongoing and regular shortages of injectable testosterone (Delatestryl® and Depo-Testosterone®). Through multi-stakeholder meetings with Health Canada, we have learned that:

  • Bausch Health (Delatestryl® - testosterone enanthate) has experienced a shortage for several months due to material supply issues as a result of the pandemic. Bausch anticipates releasing supply this week with 2nd and 3rd supply lots arriving by mid-October and a return to normal supply in December. Initially, supply will be limited and allocated across the country as a percentage of sales.
  • Pfizer Canada (Depo-Testosterone - testosterone cypionate) is also experiencing a shortage due to increased demand as result of the Bausch shortage. Pfizer anticipates testosterone will be back in stock by the end of October with enough supply to fill usual demand. Availability may vary depending on the Bausch supply.
  • Health Canada is monitoring the ongoing shortages and will provide us with bi-weekly updates.

CSEM has requested that Health Canada:

  • not only monitor the ongoing shortages but help support industry initiatives to reduce shortages;
  • advocate for all provinces to allow patients to use transdermal testosterone if injectable is not available.

We will update our website with new information as it becomes available.