Guidelines for Supply Triage During Visudyne (Verteporfin) Shortage

Created on July 16, 2021
Revised August 11, 2026

Visudyne is an essential therapeutic agent for the treatment of specific sight-threatening
Visudyne is an essential therapeutic agent used to treat specific sight-threatening retinal and choroidal diseases, including choroidal tumours, anti-VEGF-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Visudyne remains unavailable in Canada, and there is currently no confirmed date for its return. Clinicians are encouraged to consult Health Product Shortages Canada and their local pharmacy or distributor for the most current availability information.

The Canadian Retina Society (CRS) and Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) recommend the following mitigation strategies and suggest that any remaining supply of Visudyne be prioritized as follows:

• Priority 1: For the full course of treatment and management of sight-threatening ocular tumours
• Priority 2: For the treatment of non-resolving CSC
• Priority 3: For the treatment of anti-VEGF-resistant nAMD

CRS and COS provide this information for guidance and encourage all treating ophthalmologists to collaborate with their local and regional oncology and retina specialist groups to ensure that any available supply is carefully triaged to patients with the most urgent clinical need.