sailajabyrisetty's blog

First time in Canada, Rexall Pharma Plus and Rexall pharmacies implemented a new service to their patients that helps improve patient medication adherence...that is good news ...

As part of "dispensing software", the new 'Rexall reminder Program' sends messages through e-mail or phone 5 days before their prescription is due for refill to remind them to re-order. Where as, the new 'Rx Ready Program' notifies patients when their prescription is filled and ready to pick-up.

It might not be surprising for U.S patients as they do have these facilities already...but it would be beneficial for Canadian patients. Hopefully soon every pharmacy will implement this program for their patients benefit...

I was little bit surprised when I read this article in one of the Canadian Pharmacists's Letters. It says that, blood pressure should be controlled before starting daily aspirin. How many patient do you think realize this? Aspirin lowers the risk of heart attack and ischemic storke. But it increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke...especially at higher blood pressure and perticularly in patients who are taking aspirin to prevent an 'initial' heart attack or stroke. These patients get less benefit from aspirin than patients who already have heart disease.
Studies says that,for people without heart disease, you can prevent one cardiovascular event by treating 300 patients with aspirin for 6 years, but one out of 350 patients will get a major bleed. Some evidence suggested that aspirin might not work to prevent a first cardiovascular event at higher blood pressures.

A monthly two-day dosing regimen approved for Canadians…. Health Canada recently approved risedronate (ACTONEL) 75 mg, a monthly two-day dosing regimen for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis for use in Canada. Patients take this new ACTONEL 75 mg tablet on two consecutive days each month.

McNeil consumer healthcare division of Mcneil PDI Inc.announced on October 11th, 2007 that they are voluntarily withdrawing certain Over-the-counter infant's cold and cough products from the market which include,

BENYLIN FOR INFANTS STUFFY NOSE ORAL DROPS,
BENYLIN FOR INFANTS COUGH AND COLD ORAL DROPS AND
INFANTS TYLENOL COLD DYE FREE DROPS.

They have decided to discontinue these products to reduce the risk of overdose, based on an assessment of available data on the use of pediatric cough and cold medicines has identified rare instances of misuse leading to overdose, especially in infants under 2 years of age. This voluntary withdrawal is being conducted with the knowledge of Health Canada.

Health Canada requested “Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc” (Novartis) to cease the sales and marketing of Prexige tablets. Prexige, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor (class of drug called NSAID), was approved for sale in Canada almost a year ago for the symptomatic treatment of Osteoarthritis at a dose of 100 mg once daily. As there were 2 cases of serious adverse events to the liver reported in Canada, Health Canada reviewed the safety and efficacy data for this and concluded that the risk of serious hepatotoxicity associated with the use of Prexige cannot be safely managed. Hence, Helath Canada requested Novartis to stop sales of Prexige in Canada.

Health Canada advised all prescribers not to start treatment for new patient and to advise patients to discontinue Prexige and Pharmacists not to dispense further prescriptions for Prexige.

It is a medical device approved for the PREVENTION of cold sores. Manufacturer says that this product works by sending a ‘heat shock' to the area where the cold sore is expected to develop. It seems Intercept CS produces ‘heat shock proteins' in the skin which might kill virally-infected cells. It is a medical device approved for the PREVENTION of cold sores.

I read this article from one of the pharmacy news letter.

There is concern about fractures in women using AVANDIA (rosiglitazone) and ACTOS (pioglitazone).  Health Canada is warning about use of these medications.  Women, whoever is using these drugs, seem to get more fractures of the arm, hand, ankle, and foot...but not hip or spine so far.  Similar risk is not found in men it seems. Health Canada is recommending to tell women that this doesn't prove that glitazones cause fractures, but suggest monitoring bone density in women who are at risk for fractures or falls.

  At Health Canada's request, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is suspending the marketing and sales of Zelnorm (tegaserod hydrogen maleate) tablets in Canada to permit further evaluation of Zelnorm important safety information.  

At Health Canada's request, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is suspending the marketing and sales of Zelnorm (tegaserod hydrogen maleate) tablets in Canada to permit further evaluation of Zelnorm important safety information.

     Reason for recall is, a recent retrospective analysis of pooled clinical trial data showed that the incidence of cardiovascular ischemic events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and unstable angina pectoris in patients taking Zelnorm was higher than in those taking placebo.

  There were few products mentioned in Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal, CPJ, Jan-April 2007 editions, as they are going to be discontinued soon ......(some of them are discontinued already).

Biquin durules (quinidine bisulfate 250 mg extended release tablets by Astra Zeneca) have been discontinued. No other similar product exists on the market.

ZYTRAM XL : Purdue Pharma Inc. has introduced a new once daily ZYTRAM XL, a controlled release tramadol hydrochloride tablets, now available for Canadians with moderate pain.

ZYTRAM XL (tramadol hydrochloride controlled release tablets), an opioid analgesic, is indicated for the management of pain of moderate severity in adults who require treatment for several days.  ZYTRAM XL should not be used for minor pain that can be relieved by available (over the counter) analgesics.  ZYTRAM XL is for oral use only, must be swallowed whole and not to be chewed or crushed, since this can lead to the rapid release of tramadol and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of tramadol.  ZYTRAM XL is available in four different strengths such as, 150 mg. 200mg, 300mg and 400 mg once daily tablets.