Sandoz officials say the company is making every effort to meet patients' needs for the critical medications produced at its Boucherville, Quebec, plant that first slowed production for upgrades to meet FDA concerns and then had a fire that temporarily stopped lines. Partial production has resumed, and the company also has "identified alternative supply from other reliable third-party suppliers," it said in a statement. It is also seeking permission from Health Canada to manufacture 15 product families at some of its other plants. Citing research firm IMS, a spokesperson said in an email that the company supplies 54% of hospital injectables in Canada. Responding to concerns that shortages will lead to premium prices for essential drugs, Sandoz, a unit of Novartis ($NVS), says "we will honor our pricing for existing hospital contracts, including supply we secure to service these agreements." Story | Release