From the Globe and Mail:
Making the so-called "morning-after pill" available without a prescription has more than doubled demand for the drug in British Columbia, and suggests that emergency contraception is greatly underused in the rest of the country, according to a new study.
The research, published in today's edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also shows that ready access to emergency contraception likely prevented hundreds of abortions in the province. ...more
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Medical and pharmacy groups unite against cross-border drug trade
From the Canadian Press:
Five national organizations representing doctors and pharmacists are presenting a united front to push federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh to crack down on the cross-border drug trade.
The groups, who recently met with Dosanjh and Health Canada officials to discuss their concerns, also plan to take their case to the departments of industry and trade so that any proposed solutions don't get hamstrung by provincial-federal squabbling over health-care jurisdiction. ...more
Five national organizations representing doctors and pharmacists are presenting a united front to push federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh to crack down on the cross-border drug trade.
The groups, who recently met with Dosanjh and Health Canada officials to discuss their concerns, also plan to take their case to the departments of industry and trade so that any proposed solutions don't get hamstrung by provincial-federal squabbling over health-care jurisdiction. ...more
Friday, March 25, 2005
Mesabi Daily News
From the Mesabi Daily News (Minn.):
With prescription drug prices on the rise, some area lawmakers support a new plan to allow Minnesotans to order low-cost drugs from the United Kingdom. However, others have concerns about safety and claim that the state should be looking into lowering costs here rather than taking business overseas.
Last week, the Department of Human Services released a report encouraging the state to implement an importation system with two U.K. pharmacies. Under the plan, Minnesotans would be able to access the drugs through the Minnesota Rx Connect program, which currently allows individuals to purchase name-brand, low-price drugs from Canada through a state-run Web site. Minnesota was the first state to run such a Web site, and would also be the first to allow the importation of drugs from Europe. ...more
With prescription drug prices on the rise, some area lawmakers support a new plan to allow Minnesotans to order low-cost drugs from the United Kingdom. However, others have concerns about safety and claim that the state should be looking into lowering costs here rather than taking business overseas.
Last week, the Department of Human Services released a report encouraging the state to implement an importation system with two U.K. pharmacies. Under the plan, Minnesotans would be able to access the drugs through the Minnesota Rx Connect program, which currently allows individuals to purchase name-brand, low-price drugs from Canada through a state-run Web site. Minnesota was the first state to run such a Web site, and would also be the first to allow the importation of drugs from Europe. ...more
State agencies told to tout I-SaveRx
From the Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star:
State workers are adding another duty to their job description - publicity agent for the beleaguered I-SaveRx prescription drug program.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is requiring all state agencies to promote the plan that skirts federal regulations by allowing enrollees to order medications from a network of Canadian and European pharmacies. ...more
State workers are adding another duty to their job description - publicity agent for the beleaguered I-SaveRx prescription drug program.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is requiring all state agencies to promote the plan that skirts federal regulations by allowing enrollees to order medications from a network of Canadian and European pharmacies. ...more
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Local pharmacist wins national award
From the Nipawin (Sask.) Journal:
Although she’s only been in the field for a couple of years now, a local pharmacist has already caught the eye of her peers across the nation.
Last month Krystal Horudko, who works part-time at each of Pharmasave and Nipawin Hospital pharmacies, was awarded the Pfizer-sponsored award for commitment to long-term care at a convention for the Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists. ...more
Although she’s only been in the field for a couple of years now, a local pharmacist has already caught the eye of her peers across the nation.
Last month Krystal Horudko, who works part-time at each of Pharmasave and Nipawin Hospital pharmacies, was awarded the Pfizer-sponsored award for commitment to long-term care at a convention for the Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists. ...more
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Health committee to study ways to add transparency to drug regulatory system
From the Canadian Press:
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has formally asked the Commons health committee to study ways to add transparency to and improve public confidence in the drug regulatory process.
Dosanjh wants the committee to make recommendations on how information learned from post-market surveillance of drugs could be better shared with the public, as well as how the public could become involved in the regulatory process before drugs are approved for sale. ...more
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has formally asked the Commons health committee to study ways to add transparency to and improve public confidence in the drug regulatory process.
Dosanjh wants the committee to make recommendations on how information learned from post-market surveillance of drugs could be better shared with the public, as well as how the public could become involved in the regulatory process before drugs are approved for sale. ...more
Health officials to discuss limited antiviral drugs
From CTV.ca:
Little known and rarely used in North America, antiviral drugs will be the first line of defence when the next influenza pandemic strikes, in the months before a vaccine can be made available.
But with a national stockpile sufficient to treat only a fraction of Canada's population, deciding how to ration and distribute antivirals in the first wave of a pandemic poses King Solomon-like dilemmas for public health officials. ...more
Little known and rarely used in North America, antiviral drugs will be the first line of defence when the next influenza pandemic strikes, in the months before a vaccine can be made available.
But with a national stockpile sufficient to treat only a fraction of Canada's population, deciding how to ration and distribute antivirals in the first wave of a pandemic poses King Solomon-like dilemmas for public health officials. ...more
Monday, March 21, 2005
No pressure from U.S. to curb Internet pharmacies, health minister says
From CBC News:
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he isn't getting heat from U.S. officials to stop the flow of prescription drugs from Canada.
Dosanjh, who met U.S. Health Secretary Michael Leavitt on Thursday, said he outlined the options Canada is considering, including a ban on Internet pharmacies. "There was absolutely no pressure from him. I raised the issue," said Dosanjh. ...more
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he isn't getting heat from U.S. officials to stop the flow of prescription drugs from Canada.
Dosanjh, who met U.S. Health Secretary Michael Leavitt on Thursday, said he outlined the options Canada is considering, including a ban on Internet pharmacies. "There was absolutely no pressure from him. I raised the issue," said Dosanjh. ...more
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Murphy leads the fight to allow drug reimportation
From the New Britain (Conn.) Herald:
At a public hearing before the Public Health Committee in the state capitol Friday, people on all sides debated whether the state should buy drugs from Canada and other nations to lower the cost of prescription medication.
Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-16, who represents Southington, is the chairman of the committee. He introduced bill 1236, which would pave the way for the state to begin the importation and reimportation of drugs from Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Reimportation means that drugs purchased from America by Canadian pharmacies are then sold back to America. ...more
At a public hearing before the Public Health Committee in the state capitol Friday, people on all sides debated whether the state should buy drugs from Canada and other nations to lower the cost of prescription medication.
Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-16, who represents Southington, is the chairman of the committee. He introduced bill 1236, which would pave the way for the state to begin the importation and reimportation of drugs from Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Reimportation means that drugs purchased from America by Canadian pharmacies are then sold back to America. ...more
Vitamin E boosts risk of heart failure in some patients: Canadian-led study
From the Canadian Press:
Folk wisdom has long suggested that daily doses of vitamin E may protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. But a massive Canadian-led study has found that the supplement not only fails to prevent the world's top two killers - it may also do harm.
"We noted an increase in heart failure" among those taking vitamin E, said Dr. Eva Lonn, a cardiologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., and lead investigator of the study. "So our main message is that vitamin E does not protect you. It may harm you, so there's no reason to take it." ...more
Folk wisdom has long suggested that daily doses of vitamin E may protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. But a massive Canadian-led study has found that the supplement not only fails to prevent the world's top two killers - it may also do harm.
"We noted an increase in heart failure" among those taking vitamin E, said Dr. Eva Lonn, a cardiologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., and lead investigator of the study. "So our main message is that vitamin E does not protect you. It may harm you, so there's no reason to take it." ...more
Post-market surveillance of drugs inadequate, study suggests
From the Canadian Press:
A study of drugs withdrawn from the Canadian market over the last four decades uncovers some worrisome facts - and some surprising gaps in regulatory information, a commentary published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests.
Health Canada doesn't keep a list of drugs removed from the market for safety reasons, nor is there clear information on what should trigger a safety withdrawal, said author Dr. Joel Lexchin, a long-term critic of the pharmaceutical industry. ...more
A study of drugs withdrawn from the Canadian market over the last four decades uncovers some worrisome facts - and some surprising gaps in regulatory information, a commentary published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests.
Health Canada doesn't keep a list of drugs removed from the market for safety reasons, nor is there clear information on what should trigger a safety withdrawal, said author Dr. Joel Lexchin, a long-term critic of the pharmaceutical industry. ...more
Another upstate county considers Canadian drug option
From WSTM-TV (NY):
Lawmakers in another upstate county may soon clear the way for government workers to obtain prescription drugs from Canada.
This week in Binghamton, Broome County legislators plan to review a program that backers say could result in big savings to taxpayers.
The plan would apply to current county workers and retirees. ...more
Lawmakers in another upstate county may soon clear the way for government workers to obtain prescription drugs from Canada.
This week in Binghamton, Broome County legislators plan to review a program that backers say could result in big savings to taxpayers.
The plan would apply to current county workers and retirees. ...more
Gov gives drug plan a shot in the arm
From the Chicago Sun Times:
Gov. Blagojevich on Sunday tried to drum up interest in his flagging drug-import pharmacy, which so far has attracted fewer than 1 in 1,000 residents.
Since Blagojevich announced the program at a well-publicized news conference Oct. 4, 2004, only 3,000 people have signed up for I-SaveRx -- and some customers are from other participating states. ...more
Gov. Blagojevich on Sunday tried to drum up interest in his flagging drug-import pharmacy, which so far has attracted fewer than 1 in 1,000 residents.
Since Blagojevich announced the program at a well-publicized news conference Oct. 4, 2004, only 3,000 people have signed up for I-SaveRx -- and some customers are from other participating states. ...more
Little tracking of drugs pulled from Canadian market
From CBC News:
Health Canada doesn't keep a list of drugs pulled from the market for safety reasons, nor does the department clearly explain what triggers a recall, a journal commentary suggests.
Dr. Joel Lexchin, a professor at York University's school of health policy and management, wrote the commentary in Tuesday's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. ...more
Health Canada doesn't keep a list of drugs pulled from the market for safety reasons, nor does the department clearly explain what triggers a recall, a journal commentary suggests.
Dr. Joel Lexchin, a professor at York University's school of health policy and management, wrote the commentary in Tuesday's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. ...more
Minnesota to tap Britain for cheaper drugs
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Minnesota, the first state to operate a Web site that helps residents import cheaper medications from Canada, plans to expand the program to include British mail-order pharmacies, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday.
The Minnesota RxConnect program could within two months include two British pharmacies that would dispense drugs produced in Italy, Spain and Greece. ...more
Minnesota, the first state to operate a Web site that helps residents import cheaper medications from Canada, plans to expand the program to include British mail-order pharmacies, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday.
The Minnesota RxConnect program could within two months include two British pharmacies that would dispense drugs produced in Italy, Spain and Greece. ...more
Lawmakers Look to North for Prescription Drugs
From KLAS-TV (Nev.):
Nevadans may soon be able to import prescription drugs from Canada, saving in some case more than $50 on a prescription. The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard testimony on a bill to link patients to pharmacies across the border.
According to a Canadian pharmacy association, roughly 1.8 million Americans already import drugs from Canada. Assembly Bill 195 would add thousands of Nevadans to the list. Creating a network of Canadian pharmacies licensed in Nevada to sell prescription drugs over the Internet and replace costly trips across the border. ...more
Nevadans may soon be able to import prescription drugs from Canada, saving in some case more than $50 on a prescription. The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard testimony on a bill to link patients to pharmacies across the border.
According to a Canadian pharmacy association, roughly 1.8 million Americans already import drugs from Canada. Assembly Bill 195 would add thousands of Nevadans to the list. Creating a network of Canadian pharmacies licensed in Nevada to sell prescription drugs over the Internet and replace costly trips across the border. ...more
Minnesota to tap UK's drugs
From the Grand Forks (ND) Herald:
Coming soon to a medicine cabinet near you: Drugs from the United Kingdom.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to add British pharmacies to the Minnesota RxConnect program that helps residents import cheaper prescription drugs. European expansion would circumvent efforts by drug companies to restrict supplies to Canada, Pawlenty said Friday. ...more
Coming soon to a medicine cabinet near you: Drugs from the United Kingdom.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to add British pharmacies to the Minnesota RxConnect program that helps residents import cheaper prescription drugs. European expansion would circumvent efforts by drug companies to restrict supplies to Canada, Pawlenty said Friday. ...more
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Connecticut mulls drug reimportation
From BusinessInsurance.com:
The Connecticut Senate is considering a bill that would allow the state to reimport prescription drugs from Canada and Europe.
The bill, S.B. 1236, would allow the state, from January 2006, to join the I-SaveRx prescription drug program implemented last year by Illinois and enable all Connecticut residents to purchase prescription drugs through the program. ...more
The Connecticut Senate is considering a bill that would allow the state to reimport prescription drugs from Canada and Europe.
The bill, S.B. 1236, would allow the state, from January 2006, to join the I-SaveRx prescription drug program implemented last year by Illinois and enable all Connecticut residents to purchase prescription drugs through the program. ...more
Monday, March 14, 2005
Health Canada Advises Consumers Not to Use "Cough Syrup Dm" Din 02015781 with Lot Numbers Starting with 2J29 and 3J29
From Health Canada:
Health Canada is advising consumers across Canada not to use specific brands of "Cough Syrup DM" DIN 02015781 with lot numbers starting with 2J29 and 3J29 due to the product containing twice the amount of dextromethorphan than is stated on the label.
At the request of Health Canada, this product is being recalled by the manufacturer, Jamp Pharmaceutical Corp in Langley, British Columbia. The "Cough Syrup DM" is packaged in 100mL and 250mL plastic bottles. The product is distributed to retailers across Canada and sold under the following brand names ...more
Health Canada is advising consumers across Canada not to use specific brands of "Cough Syrup DM" DIN 02015781 with lot numbers starting with 2J29 and 3J29 due to the product containing twice the amount of dextromethorphan than is stated on the label.
At the request of Health Canada, this product is being recalled by the manufacturer, Jamp Pharmaceutical Corp in Langley, British Columbia. The "Cough Syrup DM" is packaged in 100mL and 250mL plastic bottles. The product is distributed to retailers across Canada and sold under the following brand names ...more
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Association of CRESTOR (rosuvastatin) with muscle related adverse events
From Health Canada:
AstraZeneca Canada Inc., in consultation with Health Canada, would like to inform patients of important safety information for CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin) tablets.
CRESTOR® is a cholesterol-lowering drug in the "statin" family. Statins are a specific type of medication used to lower cholesterol.
In Canada, and internationally, CRESTOR® has been associated with rare reports of a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that results in muscle breakdown and release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. In severe cases, rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney failure and be life-threatening. Some patients may have pre-existing medical conditions which might cause them to have a greater risk of developing muscle related problems, including rhabdomyolysis, if they are using "statin" medications. ...more
AstraZeneca Canada Inc., in consultation with Health Canada, would like to inform patients of important safety information for CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin) tablets.
CRESTOR® is a cholesterol-lowering drug in the "statin" family. Statins are a specific type of medication used to lower cholesterol.
In Canada, and internationally, CRESTOR® has been associated with rare reports of a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that results in muscle breakdown and release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. In severe cases, rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney failure and be life-threatening. Some patients may have pre-existing medical conditions which might cause them to have a greater risk of developing muscle related problems, including rhabdomyolysis, if they are using "statin" medications. ...more
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