Pfizer Pulls Menopause Hormone Therapy Premarin From Canadian Market

Pfizer Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical company, has announced it will discontinue selling its hormone replacement therapy Premarin in Canada due to internal review findings. This decision follows a shortage of the vaginal cream and three oral tablet strengths of Premarin in Canada since June. In a statement to Reuters, Pfizer Canada confirmed that it will no longer distribute Premarin products in the country.

The discontinuation of Premarin comes alongside shortages of specific strengths of estradiol transdermal patches, which are also manufactured by Bayer and Sandoz. Health Canada reported that these shortages might lead to strain on Canada's menopause drug supply, with potential shortages persisting until early 2027. Pfizer stated that the decision was not due to safety, efficacy, or quality concerns, but rather internal review findings.

The company assured patients that alternative menopause treatment options are still available in Canada. Pfizer's Canadian inventory of the oral tablet strengths (0.3 mg, 0.625 mg, and 1.25 mg) is expected to last until approximately mid-2027, but could run out sooner if demand increases. The discontinuation of Premarin in Canada does not affect the hospital-use formulation, Premarin Intravenous, which treats abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance. Pfizer shares were up 0.31% at $28.92 during premarket trading on Friday.