rxstat › Shortages › Verteporfin
Verteporfin (Visudyne) shortage status
Widespread shortage Tier 3: critical
A light-activated medication used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration of the eye.
Reports by product
What's happening
Verteporfin is currently affected by an active shortage report filed with Health Canada by CHEPLAPHARM ARZNEIMITTEL GMBH.
The reported cause is: disruption of the manufacture of the drug. Manufacturers must report shortages, but end-date estimates are their own projections and often move.
Health Canada has flagged this as a Tier 3 shortage, its most serious category, meaning the shortage has the greatest potential impact on the health system and alternatives are limited.
If your usual product is affected, a pharmacist is the fastest route to a solution: they can dispense an unaffected manufacturer's equivalent when one exists, and in most provinces can adapt doses or substitute a therapeutic alternative without a new appointment.
Verteporfin is classified under “OCULAR VASCULAR DISORDER AGENTS” (ATC S01LA).
Recent changes
- No changes recorded yet.
Common questions
What is Verteporfin used for?
A light-activated medication used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration of the eye.
When will Verteporfin be back in stock in Canada?
The latest manufacturer estimate is Dec 31, 2026. Estimates are self-reported and often slip; this page updates automatically when they change.
Why is Verteporfin in shortage?
See the reports above; manufacturers must state a reason (most commonly manufacturing disruption or a surge in demand) when filing with Health Canada.
What can my pharmacist do about it?
Often quite a lot: substitute an equivalent product from an unaffected manufacturer, adjust quantities, or in most provinces adapt or renew prescriptions on the spot. Call your pharmacy before visiting, and call 811 for free health advice.
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Possible alternatives in the same class (ocular vascular disorder agents)
Data reflects reports manufacturers are legally required to file with Health Canada, republished with per-drug aggregation by rxstat. Estimated end dates are supplied by manufacturers and frequently change. This page describes drug supply only and is not medical advice; never stop or switch a medication without speaking to your pharmacist or prescriber.