Drug shortages, recalls, and supply disruptions can have a direct impact on patient care. RPPEO's Drug Availability Database provides a centralized resource to help Paramedic Services, Base Hospitals, and Ministry of Health partners monitor the availability of medications used in Ontario paramedicine and proactively plan for supply challenges. 

Available at DRUG AVAILABILITY DATABASE, the database brings together information on medications used under the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards and ACP Palliative Care Treat & Refer directive, as well as medications associated with research projects and anticipated future implementation. By consolidating information from national drug supply and safety monitoring sources, the database helps support a more coordinated approach to managing shortages and maintaining equitable access to patient care across the province. 

The database is updated weekly by RPPEO using information from Health Canada's Drug Product Database, Drug Shortages Canada, and the Government of Canada's recalls and safety alerts system. It also incorporates relevant updates received from paramedic services, pharmaceutical suppliers, and manufacturers. 

Users can search the database to review current drug status, identify shortage issues, monitor recalls and expiry-date extensions, and review information on drug preparations carried within the RPPEO region. The resource is publicly accessible and available to all Ontario paramedicine stakeholders. 

RPPEO welcomes information that may improve the accuracy and completeness of the database. Drug availability updates can be submitted to RPPEO-Quality@toh.ca, while technical issues can be reported to RPPEOBHITS@rppeo.ca. 

As medication supply challenges continue to affect healthcare systems across Canada, the Drug Availability Database remains an important tool to support planning, operational readiness, and informed decision-making across Ontario paramedicine.