By Nav Persaud affordable drugs, benefits, Canada Health Act, Canada health system, drugs, essential medications, health care benefits, House of Commons, medication plans, medications, Members of Parliament, MPs, Pharmacare, pharmaceuticals, publicly funded medication
The MPs mulling options for publicly funding medications this week will likely take their sweet time. There is no rush for them because they already have the type of publicly funded access to medications that is being contemplated for other Canadians. While approximately three million Canadians do not take medications as directed because of the […]
By Kathleen O'Grady drug costs, drugs, generic drugs, Health care reform, Healthcare spending, pharmacare program, prescription drug, prescription drug costs, private insurance
As Canadians, we are proud of our universal healthcare system, which provides publicly-funded essential doctor and hospital care based on need and not ability to pay. Unfortunately, our health system falls short when it comes to prescription medication.
By Tara Gomes Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, codeine, deprescribing drugs, drugs, Opioid crisis, over-prescribing, overdose, prescription, Prescription opioid crisis, prescription opioids
Hundreds of codeine tablets stolen from the medicine cabinet of an elderly person living alone in a rural community. Hydromorphone tablets being distributed at weddings and high school parties. Fentanyl patches being cut up and sold for a profit on the street. This is the reality of the opioid crisis in Canada today
By Jan Hux Canada, children, children's health, diabetes, diabetic child, drugs, education, epidemic, health promotion, pre-diabetes, public school system, public schools, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes
Summer is a time to put thoughts of school aside, but some families are already worrying about September. For parents of kids with diabetes, the beginning of each new school year brings not only the usual preparations, but also fears for their child’s health and safety.
By Joel Lexchin and Barbara Mintzes advertsising, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, drugs, Health Canada, health promotion, Lipitor ad, pharmaceutical ads, Pharmaceutical advertising, Pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical policies in Canada, Pharmaceutical policy, prescription drug, promoting drugs, Viagra ad
A handsome man struts over to the office water cooler with a smirk on his face. When his colleagues ask about his weekend, he replies enthusiastically, with audio muted. A large blue pill appears with the tagline, “Viagra, Ask Your Doctor.” Vibrant, energetic older people are shown swimming, bowling and having a good time. With a twinkle in their eye, they suggest the viewer “ask your doctor” about Celebrex.
By Jan Hux Canada, daily food intake, diabetes, drugs, education, epidemic, first nations, genetics, health promotion, North Karelia, nutrition, Obesity, Obesity prevention, physical fitness, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, walkability, walkable neighbourhood, weight reduction
Journalist H.L. Mencken wrote that “for every complex problem there is a solution that is clear, simple and wrong.” That observation aptly describes a prevailing attitude toward type 2 diabetes, which characterizes diabetes as a problem that could clearly be fixed if people would simply move more and eat less.
By Steve Morgan access to health care, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, drugs, Health care costs, Health care reform, Health costs, health insurance, Healthcare spending, insurance premiums, New-Brunswick, prescription drug, prescription drug insurance, public-private
The Liberal government of New Brunswick appears to be stepping back from the brink of mandatory prescription drug insurance. And so they should.
By Janet Currie and Mark Stabile Adderall, ADHD, Bloomberg, children, drugs, mental disabilities, Ritalin
Over the past twenty years, mental disabilities have overtaken physical disabilities as the leading cause of activity limitations in children. Today, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is three times more likely than asthma to be contributing to childhood disability in the United States.
By Nicole F. Bernier antipsychotics, drugs, medication, seniors
Those living in a regulated nursing home are likely in the frailest condition of their lives, and approaching the end of life. The individual reasons for entering a nursing home are many, but commonly, residents require intense personal care for an indefinite period of time.