Tuesday August 19 / 2008

Tuesday August 19 / 2008

2:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:17: A survey conducted as part of the C-M-A's eighth annual National Report Card on Health Care suggests almost half of Canadians think people use the term mental illness as an excuse for bad behaviour. Also, More than 25 per cent of respondents to the poll are fearful of being around people who suffer from serious mental illness.
Guest: Dr. Robert Zipursky, VP of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

12:35: A new study on the West Nile Virus says Canadians who contract it have a very good chance of a full recovery. Only thing is, it may take some time.
Guest: Dr. Mark Loeb, Infectious Disease Specialist, McMaster University (and principal investigator of the study).

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Hilton
Proposed Amendments to the Ontario Drug Benefit Act;

The McGuinty government has proposed amendments to the Ontario Drug Benefit Act that will affect Ontarians to access medication in a compliance or blister pack form. The government’s decision to severely limit pharmacists from dispensing blister packs will have a direct impact on independent seniors. Effective August 1, the Ontario Government will only pay for two pills packs per month under the new drug plan. The packs which include medication for a day or week, allow pharmacists to divide dosages for patients who take several prescriptions. Cutting payments to pharmacists will put people who reply on the blister packs, at an at-risk situation. Better access to compliance packs allows and assists people to remain independent and safe in their homes by reducing the threat of medication error. The heart of the issue are senior citizens who will mostly be affected by this decision. The benefits of the pill packs far exceed the costs to the province. The regulatory changes allow long-term facilities to continue to dispense pill packs. The change to decrease the pill packs to Ontarians who do live in a long-term care facility may result in higher health care bills through emergency room visits. Not only will this place our senior citizens at risk it will directly affect the corner pharmacy as well.


Rexall Blog Reporter #0202 Nadine Janacek