Alberta pharmacists are being forced to ration certain injectable prescription drugs because of a nationwide shortage.
One of Canada's leading suppliers of generic cancer and heart medications has suspended production at it's main facility while it undergoes upgrades.
Sandoz Canada, has instructed pharmacists across the country to ration prescriptions they give to their customers to prevent hoarding.
The medications being affected include painkillers for nausea as well as drugs that regulate heart rates.
Edmonton pharmacist Will Leung told CTV News that if he runs out of the generic drugs, there are other options.
"If there's a shortage on a particular general brand, which is [a] Sandoz product, we'll have to look to alternatives," Leung said Friday.
The alternatives may end up being the more costly brand name versions.
The shortage has already started to affect Manitobans; supplies of many generic drugs are running short.
Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne said that it is too early to determine what the direct impact will be on Albertans.
"I'm monitoring this situation on a day to day basis," Horne said Friday, "We don't have any implication yet for Albertans in terms of the availability of health care services."
The Minister however said it is possible the Sandoz supply shortage could have an impact on some elective surgeries down the road.
With Files from Ashley Molnar
