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ATC S01AA17 · Antibiotics · updated 4 Nov 2026

Erythromycin shortage

As of 4 Nov 2026, Erythromycin has a reported shortage in 2 of the 16 countries we track (Canada, Japan), covering 4 products from 3 companies.

Is there an Erythromycin shortage?

Yes. As of 4 Nov 2026, Erythromycin is reported short in 2 of the 16 countries we track: Canada, Japan. The earliest expected return is 14 Dec 2026 (Canada). 3 of 4 affected products have no return date.

Countries2/16
Products4packs or presentations
Companies31 listed
Short since29 Sep 20179.1 years ago
Earliest return14 Dec 2026company estimate
Main reasonIncreased demand
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United StatesNo reported shortageCanada3 products shortGermanyNo reported shortageFranceNo reported shortageItalyNo reported shortageSpainNo reported shortageIrelandNo reported shortageAustriaNo reported shortageBelgiumNo reported shortageSwitzerlandNo reported shortageCzechiaNo reported shortageNorwayNo reported shortageSwedenNo reported shortageJapan1 product shortNew 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 29 Sep 2017; most recently in Japan on 22 Jan 2026.

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

Timeline

CanadaJapan
20222023202420252026ODAN-ERYTHROMYCIN (50 x 1g)ODAN-ERYTHROMYCIN (50 x 1g)ODAN-ERYTHROMYCIN (3.5 g)ODAN-ERYTHROMYCIN (3.5 g)ERYTHROMYCIN OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT USP (50 x 1ERYTHROMYCIN OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT USP (50 x 1g)エリスロマイシン錠200mg「サワイ」エリスロマイシン錠200mg「サワイ」today

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
Odan2Steri-Med1Sawai1 4887

Listed: Sawai 4887 · Tokyo

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-ERYTHROMYCIN (50 x 1g)ODAN LABORATORIES LTD29 Sep 2017not givenManufacturing problem
Disruption of the manufacture of the drug
CAODAN-ERYTHROMYCIN (3.5 g)ODAN LABORATORIES LTD8 Jun 2018not givenIncreased demand
Demand increase for the drug
CAERYTHROMYCIN OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT USP (50 x 1g)STERI-MED PHARMA INC.1 Oct 202614 Dec 2026Increased demand
Demand increase for the drug
エリスロマイシン錠200mg「サワイ」 limitedSawai22 Jan 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Raw material (active ingredient) supply problem

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

Questions

Is there an Erythromycin shortage?

Yes. As of 4 Nov 2026, Erythromycin is reported short in 2 of the 16 countries we track: Canada, Japan. The earliest expected return is 14 Dec 2026 (Canada). 3 of 4 affected products have no return date.

When will Erythromycin be back in stock?

Companies expect supply back from 14 Dec 2026 in Canada; Canada: 14 Dec 2026; Japan: no date given. These are company estimates reported to each authority.

Why is Erythromycin in short supply?

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

Which companies have Erythromycin shortages?

Odan, Steri-Med, Sawai.