Children’s medication from Turkey weaker than Canadian versions
Posted March 17, 2023 12:24 pm.
Children’s medicine imported by Alberta from Turkey is weaker than its Canadian counterparts.
Alberta Blue Cross issued a bulletin to pharmacists saying that the liquid acetaminophen parol is only 75 per cent as strong as the Canadian-authorized alternatives.
This means parents will need to use more of the drug for the same result.
As a result of those differences, the bulletin says the medicine must be kept behind the counter with pharmacists having to advise parents on the usage.
In response, Alberta Health says different dosages are already sold in Canada.
“Different strengths of acetaminophen are currently sold in Canada, depending on the format and intended age group,” press secretary Scott Johnston wrote in a statement to CityNews.
“As with any over-the-counter product, parents and caregivers should also read the package instructions carefully to determine the correct amount to give to children.”
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The province initially announced the purchase of five million bottles of medicine from Turkey in early December.
The first shipment arrived in mid-January for hospital use.
The remainder has been held up by Health Canada over concerns about child-proof caps, labeling in neither English or French, and questions about the pathology of the drugs.
The federal health ministry confirmed the first 270,000 bottles arrived in Alberta on March 3.
Alberta Health says, “an update about the government’s efforts to address this medication shortage will be provided in the coming days.”
In addition to concerns over shipment delays and the lower dosages, critics have questioned the cost of the drugs.
Health Minister Jason Copping confirmed the total cost of the shipment was $80 million – which comes to $16 per bottle with shipping.
Alberta Blue Cross says a comparative product already on Canadian shelves would retail for $11.99.
