Pharma

B.C.’s ‘necessary step forward’ in drug decriminalization

B.C. is Canada’s first jurisdiction to be granted a federal exemption to decriminalize personal drug possession up to 2.5 grams. Other provinces may soon follow suit.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Are antiviral pills to treat COVID safe and effective?

Healthy Debate Editor-in-Chief Seema Marwaha answers your questions on the effectiveness, safety and limitations of new antiviral pills to treat COVID-19.

Health Canada’s controversial ‘regulatory sandbox’: Enabling innovation or lowering the bar for safety?

Health Canada has a controversial plan for regulating new, complex health tech. Instead of the old vetting and approval process, a company and the agency would decide the standards as they go. Does this enable innovation or put patient safety at risk?

Pharmacare reform pits affordability against access to novel drugs

For many Canadians, important pharmaceuticals are too expensive. But initiatives by the Trudeau government and a federal regulator to combat this problem won't help Canadians access new, life-saving, but costly medicines. Just the opposite.

Episode 26 – Rapid Fire Metabolic Syndrome!

Episode 23 – Rapid Fire!