A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that drug-related supply chain disruptions are less likely to lead to drug shortages in Canada compared to the United States. Led by Dr. Mina Tadrous from the University of Toronto, the study analyzed 104 instances of drug-related supply chain issues reported in both countries, comparing the likelihood of these issues resulting in shortages over time.

The findings show that nearly half (49%) of the reported drug supply chain disruptions in the United States led to shortages, while in Canada, only 34% of similar reports resulted in drug shortages. This difference persisted both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with Canada showing a consistently lower risk for shortages (adjusted hazard ratios of 0.47 pre-pandemic and 0.31 post-pandemic).

Certain drug categories, however, were more vulnerable. Sole-sourced drugs had double the shortage risk, while Canadian tier 3 drugs—those essential for high-priority healthcare needs—showed almost half the risk compared to other drugs (adjusted hazard ratios of 2.58 and 0.56, respectively).

“These findings highlight the need for international cooperation between countries to curb the effects of drug shortages and improve resiliency of the supply chain for drugs,” the authors noted, emphasizing that collaborative strategies could enhance supply chain resilience on a global scale.

The study also disclosed that one author has affiliations with pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb, a reminder of the industry's complex ties to drug supply and distribution.