Provincial Health Ministers Right to Push for National Pharmacare Program–But What Kind?

 Quebec’s outdated drug coverage policies should not be model for rest of Canada In spite of very high expenditures for drug coverage, one in 10 Canadians cannot afford to fill their prescriptions. The current patchwork of public and private plans across the country means that Canadians are covered for their

Time for Improved Transparency and Openness in Pharmaceutical Drug Regulation

 Prescription pharmaceuticals have saved and improved many lives, but they can also be deadly. How can we make sure Canadians get the prescription drugs they need without causing unnecessary harm? The federal government plays a vital role in pharmaceutical drug regulation. We have many reasons to be proud of the

Getting a Grip on the Risks of Vaccination

 Every day when I see patients in my surgical clinic, some are offered a procedure to help them feel better. Whether it is a minor surgery like a tonsillectomy, or something larger scale such as tumor resection, I have a full discussion with the patient regarding the benefits and risks

Are We Medicalizing Healthy People?

 Why the over-treatment of risk factors for heart attacks and strokes may do more harm than good Modern medical practice is engaged in a battle, not for hearts and minds, but for the conversion of perfectly healthy people into patients, labelled “at high risk” of various diseases in the name

Ending Homelessness in Canada Receives Failing Grade

 Homelessness Remains a National Crisis Homelessness in Canada remains a national crisis despite the best efforts of social groups, housing advocates and all levels of government. In the 2014 State of Homelessness in Canada Report Card, the most startling number remains that on any given night 35,000 Canadians have no

Prescription Drug Costs Hurting Canadians: Why the Public Health System Needs to Evolve

 This week, health ministers from across Canada will gather in Banff to discuss issues of common interest and explore opportunities to work together. Pharmacare--a program that would see all prescription drug costs covered through a publicly funded system instead of out-of-pocket--will almost certainly be on the agenda. Decision makers often

How Communities can Work Together to Prevent Suicide

 The death of comedian Robin Williams last month sparked a worldwide discussion about suicide, its underlying causes and how it might be prevented. With World Suicide Prevention Day taking place September 10, the subject is certain to generate more debate as people seek to understand this important health issue. Having

Sex, Lies and Physician Supply

 Why female doctors are not to blame Among the many reasons offered for why many Canadians are increasingly facing difficulties finding a family physician to call their own is the fact that the workforce has become increasingly female. The argument usually goes something like this: female family practitioners work fewer

Letter To The Editor: A Response From The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

 The following letter from Rita Notarandrea, CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, is a response to our August 27th article Canada Slow to Respond to Prescription Opioid Crisis by Dr. David Juurlink. I agree with Dr. Juurlink’s assertion (in his August 27 article, Canada Slow to Respond to

Q & A with Canada Health Infoway

 1. How is digital health improving the health of Canadians? Canadians from coast to coast to coast are using digital health tools to manage their health and wellness. In fact, a recent Harris/Decima survey reveals 89 per cent of Canadians feel it is important that they personally have full advantage

Moving towards integrative oncology as a system of cancer care

 Over half of all people living with cancer use complementary medicine alongside standard treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (OICC) harnesses the best of what complementary medicine has to offer providing this in conjunction with conventional cancer care, according to an approach known