Mainline Ostomy Manufacturers

The Canadian market for ostomy supplies is limited to a handful of manufacturers. Three major companies dominate the market in Canada: Coloplast, Convatec and Hollister, all of whom have invested decades of research and development into their products. The Calgary ostomy community and NSWOC clinics use these manufacturers the most frequently. They are the most widely stocked products at AADL approved vendors since they offer extensive, cutting-edge product lines. Coloplast, Hollister or Convatec also provide specialized customer care programs, an excellent resource for support, education, and samples.

Getting Started

When patients undergo ostomy surgery in Calgary hospitals, Hollister is the first ostomy appliance system that they will experience. Generally, your NSWOC will assist you with fitting an ostomy appliance, authorizing AADL coverage (if eligible) and placing your first ostomy supply order, which is usually at the Calgary Co-op Home Healthcare. Between the anesthesia and shock of a new stoma, many new ostomates may not realize that other options exist!

Testing The Waters

Experiences vary significantly from person to person, and while one person is sensitive to a particular brand due to its chemical properties, their skin may thrive with another. An NSWOC nurse will troubleshoot your issue, which usually involves solutions found within the extensive product lines of Hollister, Convatec and Coloplast. It is best to consult an NSWOC (ostomy nurse) to help navigate ostomy products, especially where skincare issues are involved.

It is also important to note that AADL clients will pay additional charges out of pocket for an “upgraded item” for certain ostomy products, like Coloplast, for example, which is considered a premium product.

Second Line Ostomy Manufacturers

Ostomates are not limited to the primary brands only. Other ostomy brands available in Canada include Marlen, Salts, Cymed and Nu-Hope. These brands are typically accessed by ostomates experiencing issues not resolved by the primary products, such as allergies or a hard to fit stoma. Salts, a UK company, is now commonly carried in Calgary home health stores. Unfortunately, there can be other barriers to accessing secondary ostomy products as many vendors do not offer them. The issue for AADL clients is that they are subject to purchasing from an “approved vendor”, and these vendors must technically have a proper storefront, so online shops are not an option. If you pay out-of-pocket or have private insurance coverage for ostomy supplies, it may be possible to use these products. We recommend contacting local AADL vendors to see what they can do to obtain the lesser-used ostomy brands, especially the privately owned vendors such as CB Medical.

Ostomy Accessories

Many of the companies mentioned above also sell ostomy accessories, including barrier rings, deodorant, powder, adhesive remover, etc. These products are often interchangeable between brands so that you could use, for instance, a Hollister flange with a Coloplast barrier ring. Several companies specialize in ostomy accessories, including Attiva Ostomy, Safe n’ Simple, and Colo-Majic.

Ostomy pouch deodorant is a known issue for AADL clients as it only covers a few bottles per year. In that case, it may be more economical to purchase from online ostomy suppliers..

Learn More

Meetings such as the Ostomy & J-Pouch Support group and events like the Annual Vendor Fair, held by the Calgary Ostomy Society, are valuable resources to further your knowledge on ostomy products and skincare. That is one of many reasons it is beneficial to consider membership with us!

Below, we will outline some of the ostomy manufacturers that we recommend.