The repercussions of the war in the Middle East have led to reductions in helium supplies for healthcare services in at least one province. Experts warn that Canada has not done enough to ensure its sovereignty over essential medical supply chains.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has been informed by its supplier that its “allocations” of liquid helium, used in MRI machines, “will be temporarily reduced by 50%.”
A spokesperson stated that there is currently no impact on patient care. However, researchers dependent on helium have been warning about supply issues for years.
“We need to establish a sustainable, stable helium supply in Canada,” emphasized Geneviève Seabrook, director of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Center at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Iranian strikes in early March forced the national oil company QatarEnergy to close a major liquefied natural gas terminal, citing force majeure. Helium is a byproduct of natural gas processing, and Qatar is one of the largest global suppliers of liquid helium.
Air Liquide, the largest distributor of liquid helium in Canada, has also declared force majeure, notifying some clients of reduced supplies by half and impending price increases.
HealthPRO Canada, a non-profit organization that assists around 2,100 medical facilities in Canada with procurement, is closely monitoring the situation.
President and CEO Christine Donaldson stated that while no patients have been affected so far, the organization is assessing the needs of its clients in case the shortage persists.
The ongoing evaluation includes prioritizing certain MRI devices at risk and collaborating with partners to address the situation effectively.
Shortages of helium have been a recurring issue during the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Russia is a significant helium supplier.
According to Anne Snowdon, a healthcare supply chain expert, the country’s healthcare systems lack the ability to anticipate global supply shortages due to lack of oversight.
Snowdon highlighted that an average of 3,000 distinct shortages occur annually in Canada’s healthcare system, affecting a wide range of medical products.
Funding from the federal government in 2023 aimed to address drug shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment supported the development of local pharmaceutical ingredient production capacity through Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation.
While the initiative may provide short-term relief, long-term supply chain resilience remains a critical issue for the healthcare sector in Canada.
Collaboration among provinces is emphasized as a crucial step forward to mitigate future supply chain disruptions and ensure healthcare system sustainability.
