Tuesday June 2 / 2008

Tuesday June 3 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.


12:12-12:45: Hundreds of images and stories have been unveiled today at the national launch and opening of Cancer Connections - a traveling photo exhibition of black and white images showcasing the broad range of how cancer affects the lives of countless Canadians.
Guests: Sara Cotton, Writer, Producer, CHCH Promotions and most importantly today, a cancer survivor. (in-studio)
Peter Bregg, Photosensitive.

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Hilton Silberg.

Ontario Pharmacists could become latest in Canada to Prescribe!

Ontario patients could soon get drug prescriptions from their local pharmacists as the governing Liberals look to join other provinces and expand the prescribing powers of pharmacist, nurses and other non-physicians. Health Minister George Smitherman is asking for advice on who should be allowed to prescribe drugs. You are seeing more and more the capability of the pharmacists being unlocked to serve patients. The Ministry of Health is commissioning a study which could examine whether those who have prescribing authority now, like midwives, optometrists, and nurse practitioners, should be able to prescribe more classes of drugs and to look at the role of pharmacists and whether they could ease pressure on the health-care system by writing prescriptions. Ontario’s interest comes after Alberta expanded the role of its pharmacist last year, allowing them to prescribe some drugs, give drug refills and inject vaccinations. New Brunswick is moving forward with legislation that allows pharmacists to refill prescriptions without a doctor’s consent, alter the prescription if necessary and write prescriptions for minor conditions. Manitoba is also moving toward a system which would give pharmacists not only to have the authority to prescribe drugs, but also to order and interpret tests. Pharmacists go to school for just about as long as a doctor, if we could deploy them and use them effectively as a font-line health-care provider that could be a huge advantage to patients. Having prescribing pharmacists would take the pressure off clogged emergency rooms and doctors offices.


Nadine Janacek Rexall #0202 Blog Reporter