Drug makers and pharmacists say that while they welcome new mandatory drug shortage reporting rules announced today, reporting on shortages will not be enough to end them.

Health Minister Rona Ambrose announced the new mandatory reporting regulations Tuesday in Vancouver, saying the new rules will give Canadian health care providers and patients advance notice of upcoming shortages to allow them to arrange alternative treatments.

“We know that drug shortages are a very complex global problem, but they have impacts that are felt right here in Canada,” she said. “Nobody feels these impacts more than patients and their families.”

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/drug-manufacturers-required-to-report-shortages-under-new-rules-1.2229266#ixzz3SVObGbP8