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ATC S01AA01 · Antibiotics · updated 4 Nov 2026

Chloramphenicol shortage

As of 4 Nov 2026, Chloramphenicol has a reported shortage in 3 of the 16 countries we track (Canada, Austria, Norway), covering 4 products from 3 companies.

Is there a Chloramphenicol shortage?

Yes. As of 4 Nov 2026, Chloramphenicol is reported short in 3 of the 16 countries we track: Canada, Austria, Norway. The earliest expected return is 31 Dec 2026 (Norway). 3 of 4 affected products have no return date.

Countries3/16
Products4packs or presentations
Companies30 listed
Short since15 Apr 201610.6 years ago
Earliest return31 Dec 2026company estimate
Main reasonManufacturing problem
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United StatesNo reported shortageCanada2 products shortGermanyNo reported shortageFranceNo reported shortageItalyNo reported shortageSpainNo reported shortageIrelandNo reported shortageAustria1 product shortBelgiumNo reported shortageSwitzerlandNo reported shortageCzechiaNo reported shortageNorway1 product shortSwedenNo reported shortageJapanNo reported shortageNew ZealandNo reported shortageAustraliaNo reported shortage

How the shortage spread

All cross-border shortages

Countries in the order the shortage started there (earliest start date of a product still short). First reported in Canada on 15 Apr 2016; most recently in Norway on 6 Jul 2026.

Not on the official list in: United States, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Czechia, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, Australia.

Timeline

CanadaAustriaNorway
20222023202420252026ODAN-CHLORAMPHENICOL (15 mL)ODAN-CHLORAMPHENICOL (15 mL)ODAN-CHLORAMPHENICOL (3.5 g)ODAN-CHLORAMPHENICOL (3.5 g)Halomycetin - Augensalbe, 5 gHalomycetin - Augensalbe, 5 gKloramfenikol 10 mg/g øyesalve, 5 g tubeKloramfenikol 10 mg/g øyesalve, 5 g tubetoday

Solid bars run from the reported start to today; faded bars show the time left until the expected return. An arrow means no return date was given.

Which companies are short

products short, all countries
Odan2Wabosan Arzneimittelvertriebs1Evolan1

Compared with similar medicines

ATC group S01AA · Antibiotics
Tobramycin5/16Chloramphenicol3/16Combinations Of Different Antibiotics3/16Erythromycin2/16Framycetin2/16Fusidic Acid2/16Gentamicin2/16Kanamycin2/16Azithromycin1/16Netilmicin1/16

Affected products

CountryProductCompanySinceExpected backReason
CAODAN-CHLORAMPHENICOL (15 mL)ODAN LABORATORIES LTD15 Apr 2016not givenManufacturing problem
Disruption of the manufacture of the drug
CAODAN-CHLORAMPHENICOL (3.5 g)ODAN LABORATORIES LTD15 Apr 2016not givenManufacturing problem
Disruption of the manufacture of the drug
ATHalomycetin - Augensalbe, 5 gWabosan Arzneimittelvertriebs GmbH1 Dec 2019not givenManufacturing problem
Hersteller nicht GMP-konform
NOKloramfenikol 10 mg/g øyesalve, 5 g tubeEvolan Pharma AB6 Jul 202631 Dec 2026Manufacturing problem
Produksjonsproblemer

"Expected back" is the date the company gave the authority, when it gave one. Ask a pharmacist about alternatives.

Questions

Is there a Chloramphenicol shortage?

Yes. As of 4 Nov 2026, Chloramphenicol is reported short in 3 of the 16 countries we track: Canada, Austria, Norway. The earliest expected return is 31 Dec 2026 (Norway). 3 of 4 affected products have no return date.

When will Chloramphenicol be back in stock?

Companies expect supply back from 31 Dec 2026 in Norway; Canada: no date given; Austria: no date given; Norway: 31 Dec 2026. These are company estimates reported to each authority.

Why is Chloramphenicol in short supply?

The most common reason reported is: manufacturing problem. Reasons by product are listed in the table below.

Which companies have Chloramphenicol shortages?

Odan, Wabosan Arzneimittelvertriebs, Evolan.