Drugs and Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Pharmacist?

Pharmacists can prescribe medications for certain ailments in eight provinces with Ontario about to follow suit. But while pharmacists knowledge of medications is invaluable, are they diagnosticians?

Over-the-counter ointments are ‘poison ivy in a tube’ for some, dermatologists warn

Canada’s most popular over-the-counter ointments for wound treatment are the most common medical substances causing allergic contact dermatitis, or ACD.

Episode 52 – IVIG in Dermatomyositis and Tranexamic Acid in GI Bleeding

The war raging in your body: These little-known immune cells may prevent severe COVID

Infectious diseases were once the greatest threat to human survival. Today it is not necessarily the infection itself but rather the immune system’s response to the infection that dictates the survival of the fittest.

What’s on a label? This simple intervention could improve patient safety and save money

Adding reason for use to the labels of prescriptions could be an opportunity to support patient health literacy and to improve communication within the health-care team.

New drug to treat prostate cancer may be out of reach for most Canadians

A new, last-hope prostate cancer treatment has been approved by Health Canada but may be out of reach for most of the more than 4,500 men who die of the disease each year.

What to know about bivalent vaccines

Health Canada authorized the most recent bivalent vaccine to date, a Moderna booster, to target multiple strains of the COVID-19 virus. But what exactly is a bivalent vaccine? And is it safe? Here's all you need to know.

Episode 38 – IV Iron and SGLT2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure (Repeat)

Antimicrobial resistance: ‘Slow-moving tsunami’ now coming fast and furious

Antimicrobial resistance long has been described as a “slow-moving tsunami,” suggesting its only likely to occur in some far-distant future. It may seem that we do not need to take immediate action because there is still time … but is there?

Episode 47 – SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure

Move to generic methadone raises concerns

Ontario’s move away from brand name Methadose has sparked concerns the switch could negatively impact those who rely on the drug, prompting calls for more buy-in from methadone users ahead of these changes.

Episode 46 – Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation

In ‘Heroin,’ author lays bare the injustice and systemic racism behind Canada’s drug laws

For International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31), Healthy Debate sat down with Dr. Susan Boyd to discuss her latest book, Heroin: An Illustrated History.

An update on national pharmacare, and five steps to get us there faster

The current state of our health system means viable alternative approaches are needed. Private plans are not perfect, and neither are provincial plans. But both payer groups need to better protect Canadians from ruinous drug costs.

Episode 34 – 5 need-to-know studies from over the past year with Drs. Amol Verma and Kieran Quinn

History matters – a century after insulin’s discovery, we’re going backwards

As a Canadian with Type 1 diabetes I’m dismayed by the way pharmaceutical companies have driven up insulin prices, created a global oligarchy and increased the burden on those who need this life-giving medicine.

Episode 32 – Agitation in Dementia and Antiplatelet Therapy after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Episode 31 – Tirzepatide and Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Health

Episode 30 – SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists in Diabetes

The dangers of antimicrobial drug resistance must not be ignored

We are seeing an increase in dangerous microbes becoming resistant to antimicrobial drugs. To counter this threat, we must reduce our use of the drugs and explore innovative treatments that could one day replace them.