The agency, which had previously announced it was importing acetaminophen and ibuprofen for distribution to hospitals, said the new retail supply should help families struggling to treat their sick children.
The move follows a months-long shortage of Tylenol, Advil and alternative brands that has sent many parents and caregivers scouring bare shelves and trading tips on tracking drugs.
The shortage was fueled by the triple threat of COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, a common fall and winter illness in children known as RSV.
This disease appeared in late summer, earlier than expected, and continues to plague hospitals.
While the government said a new supply of acetaminophen is coming, it did not say how much or where it is being imported from.  The agency noted that the drugs will meet all Canadian standards.
“All information on precautions and warnings, dosage instructions, ingredients and other important details will be available in both English and French to ensure parents and carers clearly understand what medicines to use and how to give to their children,” Health Canada said in a written statement.
“This work is being done in parallel with the acquisition of the additional foreign supply.”
The agency asks consumers to buy only what they need to ensure other parents and caregivers have access to the drug.
Meanwhile, Health Canada said foreign ibuprofen intended for hospitals has already been imported and is being distributed.
“Health Canada’s top priority is the health and safety of Canadians, and we are committed to exploring every possible option to end this shortage,” the statement said.
One such option, proposed by the New Democratic Party earlier on Monday, was the establishment of a public drug maker “preferably through a Crown corporation”.
“I don’t think there are any issues more important to Canadians than the health of their children,” said NDP health critic Don Davis.  “When their ability to respond to their children’s pain and their illness is compromised, I think that’s a crisis of the highest order.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 14, 2022.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 14, 2022.