Adderall XR, a product on the Canadian drug market used to treat attention deficit disorder, was momentarily pulled from the market by Health Canada. Canadian drugs sold to the public must be approved by Health Canada, which is similar to America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Not only did Health Canada momentarily cease distribution of Adderall XR, but they also decided to review other ADHD products on the Canadian drugs market, such as Ritalin.

Canadian drugs and safety

Addrall XR is used to treat attention deficit disorder, a disorder affecting more than 2 million children worldwide. An estimated 11,000 Canadians use Adderall XR, and the drug is reported to have more than $9 million worth of sales in Canada. Adderall XR was approved for sale in Canada in 2004, but reports of negative side-effects prompted Health Canada to pull the drug for further research.

The drug was linked to more than 20 sudden deaths, which included 14 children. Although the deaths did not occur in Canada, Health Canada officials were concerned with the safety of the drug. Canadian drugs are highly scrutinized for safety, and all efforts are made to allow only safe drugs onto the market.

Following an investigation, Health Canada allowed the drug back onto the Canadian drugs market. The New Drug Committee reviewed information presented by Health Canada, and decided their actions were warranted. Keeping with the safe-guards of Canadian drugs, Adderall XR must now include additional information on its label.

Shire BioChem Inc., the makers of Adderall XR, must now include warnings for patients with heart abnormalities, and must warn against misusing the product. Canadian drugs must meet certain standards, and Health Canada feels that Addrall XR is safe when patients pay attention to the warnings, and are knowledgeable of all possible side effects.

Health Canada also required Shire BioChem, Inc. to inform all professionals dealing with Canadian drugs of the risks associated with ADHD medications. Health Canada also wants the company to offer education on the issue of potential health threats associated with ADHD Canadian drugs.

In order to keep Canadian drugs safe, Health Canada does all it can to monitor side-effects. Health Canada will receive safety information about Adderall XR on a regular basis. Health Canada also relies on the input of Canadian health workers to stay abreast on the state of Canadian drugs. Healthcare workers are expected to report any problem Canadian drugs to Health Canada officials.

Health Canada strives to keep Canadian drugs safe for patients in and outside of Canada. Makers of similar ADHD medications, such as the popular Ritalin, are now required to provide updated information to Health Canada officials. Ritalin is used by thousands of children worldwide, including Canada, and is prescribed on a regular basis. Other Canadian drugs used to treat ADHD include Concerta, Attenade, and Dexadrine. The department plans to aggressively monitor ADHD drugs, and all others on the Canadian drugs market with a large number of reported negative side-effects.