There is currently a global shortage of sodium bicarbonate 8.4% (1mmol/mL) 50 mL vials for injection manufactured by Pfizer, which has left AHS with critical stock levels. This shortage has no confirmed end date.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is working to preserve current stock, and restrict its use. Throughout the ongoing shortage, sodium bicarbonate will be reserved for patients in critical care and emergency, where alternatives are not available.
AHS is looking to purchase sodium bicarbonate 8.4% (1 mmol/mL) 50 mL vials from community pharmacies for emergency situations. Community pharmacies willing to sell their excess vials can contact Tracey Simpson, AHS Pharmacy Director of Procurement and Inventory at 780-735-0791 or Tracey.Simpson@ahs.ca.
Community pharmacies seeking alternate recipes for proton pump inhibitor (PPI) oral suspensions (e.g. omeprazole) in light of the sodium bicarbonate injection shortage are asked to call the PADIS Drug Information Line at 1-800-332-1414 (option 3 for Drug Information) or email to padis.info@ahs.ca
