Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of too many prescriptions
Working aggressively to reduce their daily medication burden may be the single best thing we can do to improve the quality of life of our aging parents and grandparents. The issue of too much medication in Canadian seniors is finally starting to be recognized as the serious problem it has become. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to…
The new trade agreement represents progress for international trade, but crucially, it weakens protections for the biopharma industry
In December, the United States, Mexico and Canada signed a new trade agreement (USMCA) in Mexico City. The agreement represents progress for international trade, but crucially, it weakens protections for the biopharma industry, as the final version of the deal removed provisions that would have extended the exclusivity (essentially, the period of time when brand-name…
A patient sometimes perceives a positive result, even from a fake drug
Medical knowledge and treatments have advanced more quickly in the last 50 years than ever before, but the powerful effects of placebo treatments are still reported and are not fully understood. Simply put, a placebo is a medicine or medical treatment that has no active pharmacological ingredient. The term often refers to the inactive treatments…
Doctors must discuss pain management options with patients and not jump to the prescription pad for a quick fix
By Dr. Wendy Levinson University of Toronto and Dr. Laurent Marcoux As clinicians, we’re bound by professionalism and our ethical responsibilities to do no harm, and to do what we can to address the pain and suffering of our patients. When powerful pain-relieving opioid medications were introduced a few decades ago, they seemed to be…
By thinking twice before prescribing and talking with patients about the risks of medications, clinicians are tackling overuse
By Karen Born and Wendy Levinson University of Toronto Canadians are living longer than ever and we are also taking more medications than ever. And this can make us sicker, not healthier. A report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that one in four seniors in Canada take 10 or more medications. That’s…
Do not assume that just because CBD is legal in your country, you can always pack it and travel with it anywhere in the world
This is a question that most people ask when they start considering whether to incorporate CBD into their healthy living routine. Is CBD legal? The concern is understandable since the issue of legality is still shrouded with confusion and misinformation, especially because different states and countries have different laws regulating the cannabis sector. If you…
With so much interest in cannabis products globally, many people want to jump on the bandwagon. In this article, we are going to take a look at how you can produce your own CBD products. Cannabis has, over the last few years, absolutely taken off globally. With ongoing research and the relaxing of laws globally,…
With so many CBD shops popping up online, it’s no surprise that brick-and-mortar retailers are joining the bandwagon. After all, CBD is being touted as a potential cure-all for anxiety, pain and depression and the industry is expected to reach up to $20 billion by 2024. About CBD From salves to oils, gummies to even…
A variety of studies show cannabis is a viable pain-killing alternative, and it has been successfully used to help addicts kick opioids
By Daniel Duarte Research Associate Frontier Centre for Public Policy Over the last decade, Canada has been among the top three countries with the highest per capita opioid consumption. With 3,023 opioid-related deaths in 2016, 4,120 in 2017, and 4,588 in 2018, the problem appears to be escalating quickly despite numerous federal and provincial initiatives.…
The CBD industry is rapidly growing in different markets within the U.S. and globally too. While CBD oil and topical treatments have proven popular, the trend towards CBD edibles in many interesting varieties is expected to continue its impressive growth. In this article, we look at different aspects of the CDB industry to see how…