From the Ottawa Citizen:
In virtually any industrialized country, women seeking to terminate pregnancies need not check into a hospital or abortion clinic. They need only take a fistful of pills and a glass of water: in every country, that is, except Canada, where RU-486, the "abortion pill," remains unavailable a quarter century after it was invented. ...more
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Lawsuit alleges Eli Lilly Parkinson's drug linked to gambling
From the Globe and Mail:
A second lawsuit has been filed in Ontario that alleges a connection between gambling and a popular drug to treat Parkinson's disease.
Eli Lilly Canada Inc. of Toronto said it received a statement of claim that alleges its Permax drug causes "compulsive, obsessive behaviour, including pathological gambling."...more
A second lawsuit has been filed in Ontario that alleges a connection between gambling and a popular drug to treat Parkinson's disease.
Eli Lilly Canada Inc. of Toronto said it received a statement of claim that alleges its Permax drug causes "compulsive, obsessive behaviour, including pathological gambling."...more
Ontario myeloma patients want life-saving drug in wake of Herceptin approval
From the Canadian Press:
Many people in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec are celebrating this weekend after their provincial governments approved the expensive breast cancer drug Herceptin.
But for a group of people in Ontario suffering from a type of cancer with its own fast-tracked wonder drug that didn't get funded, the announcement brought only disappointment and feelings of desperation. ...more
Many people in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec are celebrating this weekend after their provincial governments approved the expensive breast cancer drug Herceptin.
But for a group of people in Ontario suffering from a type of cancer with its own fast-tracked wonder drug that didn't get funded, the announcement brought only disappointment and feelings of desperation. ...more
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Two countries join drug program
From the Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's struggling I-SaveRx prescription drug program is gaining two more countries from which enrollees can order medication.
Blagojovich said Monday that Australia and New Zealand will join the program this fall. ...more
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's struggling I-SaveRx prescription drug program is gaining two more countries from which enrollees can order medication.
Blagojovich said Monday that Australia and New Zealand will join the program this fall. ...more
Monday, July 18, 2005
Illinois Expands I-Save-RX Program To Australia, New Zealand
From KSDK-TV (MO):
Governor Rod Blagojevich says the I-Save-RX drug import program will expand to Australia and New Zealand as a source for prescription medicine.
The expansion was announced just weeks after Canada's health minister said his country would no longer be a cheap drug store for the United States. ...more
Governor Rod Blagojevich says the I-Save-RX drug import program will expand to Australia and New Zealand as a source for prescription medicine.
The expansion was announced just weeks after Canada's health minister said his country would no longer be a cheap drug store for the United States. ...more
Friday, July 15, 2005
Ontarians warned not to hoard ’flu drugs
From the Fort Frances (Ontario)Times:
Canadians confronted with the threat of a global pandemic should refrain from stockpiling antiviral drugs to avoid depleting national supplies and hurting efforts to mitigate the impact of an influenza outbreak, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health warned yesterday.
Canadians are increasingly asking their doctors for back-up doses of Tamiflu, also known as oseltamivir, a practice Dr. Sheela Basrur is trying to discourage. ...more
Canadians confronted with the threat of a global pandemic should refrain from stockpiling antiviral drugs to avoid depleting national supplies and hurting efforts to mitigate the impact of an influenza outbreak, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health warned yesterday.
Canadians are increasingly asking their doctors for back-up doses of Tamiflu, also known as oseltamivir, a practice Dr. Sheela Basrur is trying to discourage. ...more
Health Canada issues advisory over statins
From CTV.ca:
Some patients with underlying health conditions could be at risk of serious side-effects from widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, Health Canada advised Tuesday.
The medications, which include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Lescol and Lescol XL (fluvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin), put some patients with pre-existing medical conditions at greater risk of muscle-related problems. ...more
Some patients with underlying health conditions could be at risk of serious side-effects from widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, Health Canada advised Tuesday.
The medications, which include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Lescol and Lescol XL (fluvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin), put some patients with pre-existing medical conditions at greater risk of muscle-related problems. ...more
Prestigious award for Mountain pharmacist
From the Hamilton Mountain News:
For the past three years Hamilton pharmacist Irene Hogan has been helping women with their special health care needs.
Ms. Hogan, who operates a women's health specialty practice at the three DayNight pharmacies on the Mountain, was recently presented with the Patient Care Achievement Award for Specialty Practice at the Canadian Pharmacists Association's annual convention in Quebec City. ...more
For the past three years Hamilton pharmacist Irene Hogan has been helping women with their special health care needs.
Ms. Hogan, who operates a women's health specialty practice at the three DayNight pharmacies on the Mountain, was recently presented with the Patient Care Achievement Award for Specialty Practice at the Canadian Pharmacists Association's annual convention in Quebec City. ...more
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Put ibuprofen behind counter: health panel
From CBC Nova Scotia:
The popular pain reliever ibuprofen may be moved behind the counter at pharmacies in Nova Scotia, if a panel recommendation is implemented.
The national drug review panel was formed to review the use of COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx, medications prescribed to relieve pain from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis....more
The popular pain reliever ibuprofen may be moved behind the counter at pharmacies in Nova Scotia, if a panel recommendation is implemented.
The national drug review panel was formed to review the use of COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx, medications prescribed to relieve pain from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis....more
Business Press
From the Las Vegas Business Press:
University Medical Center Director of Pharmacy Don Frisch thinks the poor will have a tough time using Nevada's Canadian drug importation system.
Oncologist Dr. Arnold Wax is passionate when he talks about skyrocketing drug prices in the United States. The Southern Nevada physician has seen his patients make difficult choices. Some have had to skimp on buying potentially lifesaving drugs while substituting cheaper, less-effective, alternatives in their place. ...more
University Medical Center Director of Pharmacy Don Frisch thinks the poor will have a tough time using Nevada's Canadian drug importation system.
Oncologist Dr. Arnold Wax is passionate when he talks about skyrocketing drug prices in the United States. The Southern Nevada physician has seen his patients make difficult choices. Some have had to skimp on buying potentially lifesaving drugs while substituting cheaper, less-effective, alternatives in their place. ...more
The latest battle to get Herceptin
From the Globe and Mail:
As provinces prepare to fund the breakthrough breast cancer drug Herceptin, they are running into a new set of problems: too few doctors able to test and treat the thousands of women who could be saved by the drug.
Herceptin is currently available on a case-by-case basis in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. ...more
As provinces prepare to fund the breakthrough breast cancer drug Herceptin, they are running into a new set of problems: too few doctors able to test and treat the thousands of women who could be saved by the drug.
Herceptin is currently available on a case-by-case basis in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. ...more
Monday, July 11, 2005
Stanstead Pharmacy Fills Niche On Border
From the Caledonia (Vermont) Record:
Located just yards north of the Vermont border, with no Canadian competitors to speak of within 15 miles, pharmacist Diane Vaillancourt appears to have found the perfect location for what is one of Stanstead's most successful businesses.
Opened in January 2004, Pharmacie Diane Vaillancourt is a state-of-the-art 9,300-square-foot pharmacy that grew out of two smaller outfits Vaillancourt had bought up in previous years. Stanstead's next nearest pharmacies are scattered just south of the border from the neighboring village of Derby Line to the town of Newport. ...more
Located just yards north of the Vermont border, with no Canadian competitors to speak of within 15 miles, pharmacist Diane Vaillancourt appears to have found the perfect location for what is one of Stanstead's most successful businesses.
Opened in January 2004, Pharmacie Diane Vaillancourt is a state-of-the-art 9,300-square-foot pharmacy that grew out of two smaller outfits Vaillancourt had bought up in previous years. Stanstead's next nearest pharmacies are scattered just south of the border from the neighboring village of Derby Line to the town of Newport. ...more
Canada's prescription drug rates lose luster
From the San Diego Union Tribune:
Last year, many state Democrats and consumer advocates saw Canada as the promised land for cheap prescription drugs.
So why didn't they even flinch when Canada's health minister recently announced plans to restrict the flow of drugs to the United States?
By that time, California health care advocates had already decided that Canada couldn't do much to lower drug costs in the Golden State. ...more
Last year, many state Democrats and consumer advocates saw Canada as the promised land for cheap prescription drugs.
So why didn't they even flinch when Canada's health minister recently announced plans to restrict the flow of drugs to the United States?
By that time, California health care advocates had already decided that Canada couldn't do much to lower drug costs in the Golden State. ...more
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Expert panel recommends Vioxx return to market, issues warning on ibuprofen
From Macleans:
Ibuprofen, one of the most common painkillers on the market, poses just as much risk of heart attacks and stroke as controversial drugs like Vioxx, says an expert panel named by Health Canada.
The finding in a report Thursday is likely to surprise many people who routinely use ibuprofen, which has been marketed since the 1950s and is available without a prescription. ...more
Ibuprofen, one of the most common painkillers on the market, poses just as much risk of heart attacks and stroke as controversial drugs like Vioxx, says an expert panel named by Health Canada.
The finding in a report Thursday is likely to surprise many people who routinely use ibuprofen, which has been marketed since the 1950s and is available without a prescription. ...more
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Drug makers reformulate U.S. cold medicines that can be used to make meth
From the Canadian Press:
Under pressure from law-enforcement agencies and state governments, drug companies have begun reformulating popular U.S. cold medicines to prevent criminals from converting them into methamphetamine.
"This is the direction we're moving," said Elizabeth Assey, spokeswoman for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association in Washington, D.C., a lobbying organization for the cold medicine industry. ...more
Under pressure from law-enforcement agencies and state governments, drug companies have begun reformulating popular U.S. cold medicines to prevent criminals from converting them into methamphetamine.
"This is the direction we're moving," said Elizabeth Assey, spokeswoman for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association in Washington, D.C., a lobbying organization for the cold medicine industry. ...more
Drug supply OK for most
From the (Augusta, Maine) Morning Sentinel:
Mainers who shop for prescription drugs in Canada have no reason to be concerned that their supply will be shut off, but a leading Canadian official's warning about drug re-importation could affect the Penobscot Nation's plan to get into the business, officials say.
They were reacting to Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh's call for legislation and initiatives to protect the supply and safety of Canadian drugs. He intends to introduce a proposal this fall to allow for a temporary bans of bulk exports when supplies are running low at home. ...more
Mainers who shop for prescription drugs in Canada have no reason to be concerned that their supply will be shut off, but a leading Canadian official's warning about drug re-importation could affect the Penobscot Nation's plan to get into the business, officials say.
They were reacting to Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh's call for legislation and initiatives to protect the supply and safety of Canadian drugs. He intends to introduce a proposal this fall to allow for a temporary bans of bulk exports when supplies are running low at home. ...more
Monday, July 04, 2005
Canadian ban may not hurt I-Save Rx
From the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's highly touted I-Save Rx prescription drug program would not be affected by a proposed ban of Canada's bulk export prescription drugs to the United States, said a Blagojevich spokeswoman.
"The I-Save Rx program is one of personal importation where we link an individual to an individual pharmacy to fill an individual prescription," Rebecca Rausch said Wednesday. "What the Canadian health minister was talking about today was bulk, wholesale purchases." ...more
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's highly touted I-Save Rx prescription drug program would not be affected by a proposed ban of Canada's bulk export prescription drugs to the United States, said a Blagojevich spokeswoman.
"The I-Save Rx program is one of personal importation where we link an individual to an individual pharmacy to fill an individual prescription," Rebecca Rausch said Wednesday. "What the Canadian health minister was talking about today was bulk, wholesale purchases." ...more
R.I. Health Dept. Files Canadian Drug Import Guidelines
From NBC 10 News (RI):
Canadian pharmacies can soon seek a license to sell drugs in Rhode Island under long-awaited regulations filed by the state Department of Health on Friday.
A law that legalized Canadian drug sales went into effect in January, making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to allow residents to import cheaper drugs from Canada. But the law has never been used because the state first had to develop regulations for licensing Canadian pharmacies. ...more
Canadian pharmacies can soon seek a license to sell drugs in Rhode Island under long-awaited regulations filed by the state Department of Health on Friday.
A law that legalized Canadian drug sales went into effect in January, making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to allow residents to import cheaper drugs from Canada. But the law has never been used because the state first had to develop regulations for licensing Canadian pharmacies. ...more
Cdn. has to buy cancer drug abroad
From CTV News:
For Mississauga, Ont. resident Mario Codispoti, each moment with his family is more precious than ever. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death in this country.
This January, Codispoti's doctor told him his only hope for extending life was to be treated with the drug Erbitux, which has been proven to slow tumour growth in some patients.
Trouble is, Erbitux hasn't been approved yet for use in Canada. ...more
For Mississauga, Ont. resident Mario Codispoti, each moment with his family is more precious than ever. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death in this country.
This January, Codispoti's doctor told him his only hope for extending life was to be treated with the drug Erbitux, which has been proven to slow tumour growth in some patients.
Trouble is, Erbitux hasn't been approved yet for use in Canada. ...more
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Canada Drug Export Ban Could Change Rx Landscape in U.S.
From Forbes:
If Canada makes good on its pledge this week to restrict exports of prescription drugs, it will mean short-term headaches for U.S. consumers needing cheaper, potentially lifesaving pharmaceuticals.
In the long-term, however, such a move could force some dramatic changes in the prescription drug network, and might even prompt a political showdown in Washington, D.C., experts say. ...more
If Canada makes good on its pledge this week to restrict exports of prescription drugs, it will mean short-term headaches for U.S. consumers needing cheaper, potentially lifesaving pharmaceuticals.
In the long-term, however, such a move could force some dramatic changes in the prescription drug network, and might even prompt a political showdown in Washington, D.C., experts say. ...more
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