IMPORTANT UPDATE – March 9, 2020
Bladder Cancer Canada (BCC) and its Medical Advisory Board were advised by Merck Canada in November 2019 that they would continue to face challenges in the supply of the TICE strain of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in Canada for 2020.
As the only supplier of BCG in Canada, Merck established an allocation plan last fall and has committed to keeping information updated. BCC is in regular communication directly with both Merck and Health Canada, Shortages Branch.
During this time, Merck expects to fulfill between 75% and 100% of the normal demand.
Below is an approach for consideration for physicians to address the shortage/outage of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG):
Approach to Address BCG Shortage (Download the document here).
The Medical Advisory Board of BCC and the CUA Guidelines Committee have reviewed and support these suggestions.
Health Canada is continuing to assess the application of a second supplier with regards to the use of an alternate strain of BCG in Canada. BCC is closely monitoring this application with Health Canada and the applicant in order to expedite the approval of a second BCG supplier in Canada.
Read the Bladder Cancer Canada Position Statement on the BCG Shortage.
