May 6, 2022: Health Canada: Update - Sodium Acetate Injection – Potential for Presence of Particulate
April 20, 2022: Safety Bulletin - Pediatric Medication Errors in the Community: A Multi-Incident Analysis
This bulletin highlights the findings from a multi-incident analysis of harmful medication incidents involving pediatric patients in the community and identifies opportunities to improve pediatric medication safety. Listen to the Synopsis ... | Read more ...
April 20, 2022: Safety Bulletin - Preventing Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Errors at Mass Vaccination Sites
ISMP Canada received reports of the inadvertent administration of adult COVID-19 vaccine doses to children eligible for a pediatric vaccine. Vaccination sites have implemented various strategies to prevent this type of error. A successful initiative of one hospital that has hosted several hospital- and community-based clinics is shared. Read more ... April 20, 2022: Safety Bulletin - Sharing Matters! Incident Spurs Implementation of Child-Resistant Closure
ISMP Canada's consumer reporting program, SafeMedicationUse.ca, described a report of a young child who drank amoxicillin suspension directly from the bottle, in the absence of caregivers. This was possible in part due to the lack of a child-resistant closure. Read more ... April 13, 2022: SafeMedicationUse.ca - Cannabis for Medical Purposes—Do You Have the Right Product?
Many Canadians report using cannabis for medical purposes. Accessing cannabis for medical purposes is different from filling your prescription at a pharmacy. This may include obtaining a medical authorization document from your doctor or nurse practitioner. As with any medication, mistakes (errors) when selecting or using a cannabis product can happen and may result in harmful side effects. Read more … | FrançaisView all SafeMedicationUse.ca Newsletters for consumers
March 28, 2022: Safety Bulletin - ALERT: Multipronged Strategy Required to Manage Shortage of Sterile Water for Injection
On March 17, 2022, the shortage of small-volume formats of sterile water for injection packaged in vials and ampoules was assigned a Tier 3 designation by a Tier Assignment Committee that includes Health Canada and other Canadian stakeholders. Tier 3 shortages are those that have the "greatest potential impact on Canada's drug supply and health care system." The global shortage is expected to persist into May 2022. Managing the shortage of small-volume formats of sterile water for injection requires a multipronged approach: 1) conservation strategies to maintain existing supply, 2) implementation of alternative drug preparation processes, and 3) effective communication among all staff affected by the shortage. Listen to the Synopsis ... | Read more ... March 17, 2022: Safety Bulletin - Heightened Risk of Methotrexate Toxicity in End-Stage Renal Disease
Chronic kidney disease resulting from a decline in renal function affects approximately 3% of Canadians. End-stage renal disease, typically leading to the need for dialysis or kidney transplant, may develop as a patient's renal function worsens. Many medications should be avoided by or prescribed at a lower dose for patients with impaired renal function to prevent toxicity. Prescribing can be further complicated by polypharmacy and comorbid illnesses, such as liver dysfunction. This bulletin describes findings from 2 harmful incidents involving patients for whom methotrexate was prescribed while they were receiving dialysis. Listen to the Synopsis ... | Read more ... February 28, 2022: Safety Bulletin - Mitigating Risk for Medication Errors Involving Paxlovid
Paxlovid (a co-packaged product containing nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tablets) was recently approved by Health Canada for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for progression to severe disease. Several key safety considerations have been identified: (1) the need for product manipulation before it is dispensed for use by patients with moderate renal dysfunction, (2) the display of critical information (e.g., dosing) about the co-packaged product in prescribing and other medication software, and (3) the need for updated drug interaction checking software. Read more ... 
