Shortage of painkillers in Quebec pharmacies
Posted July 29, 2026 2:52 pm.
Last Updated July 29, 2026 2:55 pm.
A shortage of a commonly prescribed painkiller is currently affecting Canada and is impacting pharmacies in Quebec. This involves hydromorphone tablets, which include the brand name Dilaudid and two generic versions.
The Quebec Order of Pharmacists has confirmed that an opioid shortage is affecting Canada. This particularly concerns immediate-release hydromorphone tablets of 1 mg and 2 mg. The supply of 4 mg and 8 mg hydromorphone tablets remains stable for the time being.
According to the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the difficulties are related to “manufacturing and supply problems affecting several manufacturers of these dosages.” The shortage could last until September.
“Patients should not be alarmed. For now, we are still able to order them,” Geneviève Charbonneau, pharmacist owner in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac and deputy president of the Quebec Association of Pharmacy Owners (AQPP), is keen to point out.
To continue providing pain medication prescriptions to the public, pharmacists must cut 2 mg tablets in half, but this isn’t possible for higher doses. “For patients taking the lowest doses, sometimes we don’t have the tablets they need. So, we have to give them stronger tablets, then we have to cut them or adjust the dosage,” explains Charbonneau.
In the event of a complete shortage of Dilaudid, pharmacists could prescribe other painkillers. “If, eventually, it becomes unavailable or out of stock, we can calculate equivalencies with other narcotics, other opioids. But we have to calculate dosage equivalencies based on the potency of each to ensure we’re giving the right treatment. It could be morphine, for example. Some people mentioned fentanyl patches, but those aren’t suitable for everyone at all,” explains Charbonneau.
Pharmacists are asking Quebecers to plan ahead when refilling their prescriptions. If someone arrives on the same day without having called ahead to have the pharmacist prepare their prescription, the pharmacy may be out of stock. “But I can get enough for the next day,” says Charbonneau. “If you don’t want to run out for an evening, a night, or even 24-48 hours in advance, that’s always ideal.”
However, you can’t refill too far in advance, since these are controlled substances, the pharmacist points out. “But planning ahead, especially if you’re going on a trip, and not arriving the morning of your trip before you leave, that’s the key for patients,” Charbonneau reiterates.
In an update on the situation, the British Columbia government indicated that manufacturers are working to replenish their supplies. Pharmascience, a major drug manufacturer serving the Canadian and international markets, anticipates resolving the shortage by August 2026 for the 1 mg tablets and by September 2026 for the 2 mg tablets.
Supply disruptions may persist for the 1 mg and 2 mg dosages until the supply stabilizes.
—The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
