Shortages of drugs for people with arthritis causes stress, long-term behaviour changes and more: new report

For people living with arthritis, switching medications can be a literal pain—and headlines abound on geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions that could make that eventuality all the more likely, according to research from the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA). The advocacy group’s latest report Broken Chains: Drug Supply Disruptions Impact Patient Lives, highlights the uncertainty drug shortages can cause patients. Through interviews conducted with Canadians with arthritis and caregivers between June and December 2025, the report identified the extent to which interruptions to treatment can lead to increased pain, loss of mobility, mental health strain and a reduced quality of life. "Drug shortages are not just supply chain problems but also reflect how our health system is organized and where it falls short," said Dr. Mina Tadrous, an expert in pharmaceutical policy at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy in a press release. "Incorporating patient experience can help inform more effective responses, policies, and future research." The report highlighted six main themes: uncertainty and stress when medications are unavailable;long-term behavioural changes like stockpiling and rationing;inconsistent coordination between prescribers and pharmacies;difficulty switching to alternative therapies;fragmented communication about supply disruptions;insurance barriers that intensify the impact of shortages. According to CAPA, many participants reported learning about shortages only when they arrive at the pharmacy, resulting in them rationing their medications out of fear. Others described anxiety surrounding future shortages, and how little support they received when looking for alternative forms of treatment. "Drug shortages are not minor inconveniences for people managing chronic conditions," said CAPA president Linda Wilhelm in the same release. "When treatment plans that have taken years to stabilize are disrupted, the impacts ripple through people's health, work, and daily lives."

Shortages of drugs for people with arthritis causes stress, long-term behaviour changes and more: new report

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