Data sources
| Database | Data field extracted and used | Time period or extract version | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Shortages Canada Database | DIN,* package size, actual shortage start date, shortage reasons (shortage of an active ingredient, shortage of an inactive ingredient or component, disruption of the manufacture of the drug, requirements related to complying with good manufacturing practices, delay in shipping of the drug, demand increase for the drug, or other), estimated shortage end date and actual shortage end date, if available | Mar. 14, 2017 to Sept. 12, 2018 | Drug Shortages Canada website22 |
| Drug Product Database | DIN, drug name, active ingredient(s), strength, dosage form, route of administration, manufacturer, package size, Active Ingredient Group number,† Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification, schedule (e.g., prescription, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, biological, over-the-counter, “ethical” products‡), market status (marketed, cancelled, dormant) and status date | Data extracted were last updated by Health Canada on Apr. 12, 2019 | Health Canada24 |
| Formulary data for 9 provinces in Canada§ | DIN; brand generic code that indicates whether a drug is a brand, generic or biologic; plan or program; formulary coverage start date and end date and the listed price, if available | April 2008 to Mar. 31, 2017 | Canadian Institute for Health Information25 |
| PharmaClik | DIN, package size¶ | Catalogue downloaded on Oct. 10, 2018 | McKesson Canada26 |
Note: DIN = Drug Identification Number.
↵* DIN uniquely identifies a drug’s active ingredients, strength, dosage form, route of administration and manufacturer.
↵† A 10-digit number that identifies products that have the same active ingredient(s) and ingredient strength(s).
↵‡ Drugs that do not require a prescription but are generally prescribed by medical practitioners for unscheduled professional use and emergency use.
↵§ Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
↵¶ Used to supplement the package code information obtained from the Drug Product Database.