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February 26, 2007
Advocating for Children’s Health and Well-Being
Source of Information- CTV National News-Jan.27/07
Description of Issue:
The Ontario Medical Association is supporting a ban on cigarette smoking in cars when children 18 years and younger are in the vehicle. This follows the recent news announcement that the City of Bangor, Maine has enacted such legislation. The Ontario Medical Association has supported the cigarette ban for the last 3 years. A recent public opinion poll in Ontario showed 78% support for the cigarette ban in cars containing children. Health evidence has demonstrated that second hand smoke in cars is significantly more toxic for children than in other environments (i.e. home).
Implication for Pharmacy:
Pharmacists and other health practioners in Canada are concerned about the alarmingly high asthma rate in children. Exposure to cigarette smoke is considered one of the factors accounting for the high asthma rate in this country. In addition, pharmacists as health advocates must take the time and have the inclination to lobby for legislation that will ensure the health and well-being of children and youth. The cigarette ban is one such example.
Posted by mmacneil at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2007
Health Literacy an Important Issue for the Health Professional
Source: Canada West News Srvice-Jan/07
Description of Issue:
An article by Sharon Dirkey discusses a new Canadian report of literacy skills. One aspect of the national study addressed Health Literacy, meaning the ability to understand all of those things, which allow you to maintain control of your health. One disturbing finding was that more than half of Canadians have trouble understanding what "take two tablets twice daily for seven days" means. In addition, nearly 90% of senior’s -the biggest users of health services in the country- lack the literacy skills needed to deal with health information.
Implications to Pharmacy:
Low health literacy can lead to dosing errors. Diabetics, for example, may have problems interpreting blood glucose scores. People are more likely to ignore warning labels.
Pharmacists must have concerns about health literacy. Health Professionals must take the time to ensure that complex medical information/instructions are put in terms that people with lower levels of literacy skills can understand.
Posted by mmacneil at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2007
Pharmacy Across Borders
Source: Toronto Globe and Mail- January/07
Description of Issue:
A Danish study has found some drug manufacturers have suppressed negative data and modified results to put their product in a positive light. A team of European and Canadian researchers investigated 44 trials carried out in Denmark in the 1990's. They discovered that drug company employees were directly involved in 33 of these trials, but their names did not appear in the list of authors, or contributors when the studies were published. In effect, company employees were "ghost authors" of many studies. An-Wen Chan (U. Toronto) believes keeping names secret provides a misleading impression of who really conducted and interpreted the study.
Implications to Pharmacy/Practice:
Although researchers for this study looked at only Danish trials, they believe ghost authorship is a global research problem. Some would argue that you could come to just about any conclusion you want from a particular study. And, for that reason, it is important to know who is doing the analyses- and if that person has a hidden agenda. In Pharmacy research, there is an assumption of pharmacy companies maintaining an arm's length relationship with researchers to ensure findings are free of bias.
Posted by mmacneil at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)