Can Ukrainian medicines be found in Calgary?

Ukrainian medicines in the literal sense — that is, drugs manufactured in Ukraine under Ukrainian brand names — are extremely rare in Canadian pharmacies. The reason is not a lack of demand among the diaspora, but rather Health Canada's strict regulatory framework: before a medicine can hit the shelves, it must undergo a complete registration process, obtain a Drug Identification Number (DIN), and comply with requirements regarding language labeling, safety, and quality. Below is a detailed overview of where and under what conditions a Calgary resident can purchase “Ukrainian” medicines or their analogues.

1. What is already available in the Canadian registry

As of mid-2025, only a few Ukrainian drugs have officially appeared on the Canadian market. The best-known example is Instylan® (sodium hyaluronate for intravesical instillations), which was launched by Yuria-Pharm in partnership with Red Leaf Medical. The drug has a Canadian DIN and is available on prescription from a urologist.

Conclusion: if a drug is registered and has a DIN, it can be ordered from any pharmacy in Calgary in the same way as Canadian brands.

2. Why are most popular “Ukrainian” brands missing?

  1. Different dosage and form standards. For example, No-Spa (drotaverine) and Citramon do not have a Bioequivalence Package acceptable to Health Canada.

  2. Dual labeling in the languages of the country of manufacture. Canadian law requires mandatory English and French labels and warnings.

  3. Registration costs. For niche audiences, importers often cannot recoup the $1–3 million required to submit a dossier.

3. How Ukrainian medicines get into the provinces

Channel What can actually be imported Restrictions
Personal import by passengers Up to a 90-day personal supply of prescription or over-the-counter drugs Original packaging, copy of prescription (if required); controlled substances may not be imported without special permission
Postal parcel from Ukraine Vitamins, creams, dietary supplements; small quantities of over-the-counter medications Value ≤ $100 CAD; starting in 2024, postal services will require a certificate of composition to be included
Humanitarian supplies Antibiotics, painkillers, children's syrups Only for charitable organizations with a special license from Health Canada

Practical advice: personal imports are not considered “grey imports,” but exceeding 90 days or not having a prescription formally violates the Canadian Food and Drugs Act.

4. Are there any “Ukrainian pharmacies” in Calgary?

There are no licensed pharmacies of Ukrainian origin, but some pharmacists speak Ukrainian/Russian and can help you find equivalents. The most frequently mentioned are:

Pharmacy Staff language Special features
Co-op Pharmacy (Forest Lawn) 🇺🇦 / 🇷🇺 area with the largest Eastern European diaspora
Shoppers Drug Mart (Marlborough) 🇺🇦 often has brochures about coverage for Ukrainian evacuees
Safeway Pharmacy (Glenmore Landing) 🇺🇦 option to order Instylan® “for the customer” within 24–48 hours

Pharmacist's functions:

  1. Find a Canadian equivalent with the same active ingredient.

  2. Order the imported drug through specialized distributors (if registered).

  3. Offer compounding — prepare an ointment or solution according to a pharmacopoeia prescription, if the substance is legal.

5. Replacement chart: Canadian equivalents of popular Ukrainian drugs

Ukrainian brand Active ingredient Canadian equivalent Note
No-Spa Drotaverine none; Buscopan® (hyoscine) is used consult a doctor
Citramon Acetylsalicylic acid + caffeine + paracetamol Excedrin® Extra Strength over-the-counter
Corvalol/Valocordin Phenobarbital + ethyl bromizovalerianate not available (phenobarbital is a controlled substance) import prohibited without permission
Linex Probiotics Align®, Culturelle® over-the-counter
Carvalol-D Captopril Captopril Generics (Rx) prescription

6. Ukrainian dietary supplements and herbal teas in Calgary

Ukrainian stores may offer:

  • Herbal teas “Carpathian Tea” (chamomile, lemon balm, rosehip)
  • Propolis sprays ‘Bdzholosvit’
  • Balm “Zirochka” (Vietnamese, popular among post-Soviet consumers)

These are not licensed medicines, but natural products.

7. Summary and practical steps

  1. Check the DIN. If the drug has a Canadian number, it can be officially ordered.

  2. Ask for analogues by their international non-proprietary name.

  3. Personal import of up to a 90-day supply in the original packaging without controlled substances.

  4. Compounding pharmacies will make an ointment or solution according to a prescription.

  5. Keep an eye on registrations. Health Canada publishes a monthly “Notice of Compliance” with new drugs.

Conclusion: There is no complete “Ukrainian” assortment in Calgary, but key drugs can be replaced with Canadian equivalents or imported personally within the limits. Consult with a pharmacist, follow Health Canada requirements, and use compounding if special forms are required.