Report on the spread of fake drugs in poor countries

The global trade in fake medicines is vast and growing, according to a newly released report by IPN (Keeping it real:  combating the spread of fake drugs in poor countries).  The spread of fake medicines results in millions of people unwittingly consuming cement, talcum powder, sawdust, paint and an array of other toxic or inert substances.  It [...]

Update from the World Health Assembly – May 20

Live Twitter updates from the 62nd World Health Assembly:  www.twitter.com/patientspatents
Discussions on issues of public health and innovation have been further delayed.  They were to be discussed yesterday, but have been rescheduled for later today.  With other issues such as climate change, social determinants of health and pandemic influenza preparedness also on the agenda, it seems likely [...]

WHO and 30 vaccine manufacturers meet: commit to meeting public health needs re H1N1

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with over 30 vaccine manufacturers from developing and developed countries at WHO headquarters yesterday.  Industry representatives affirmed their wish to cooperate in making supplies of any eventual vaccine for Influenza A(H1N1) available to developing countries, and said they stood ready to produce the [...]

Update from the 62nd World Health Assembly

Live Twitter updates from the 62nd World Health Assembly:  www.twitter.com/patientspatents
The 62nd World Health Assembly opened yesterday (May 18, 2009) and much of the administrative details (election of the President, chairmans of the committees, adoption of the agenda, etc.).  Dr. Margaret Chan also addressed the Assembly.
The WHA was significantly shortened due to the H1N1 outbreak.  As a [...]

World Health Assembly to be cut short due to swine flu

Earlier this week, the UN announced that the sixty-second World Health Assembly would be cut short due to global concerns about the spread of influenza A (H1N1) – swine flu.  Instead of the previously scheduled 10 day meeting (May 18-27), the WHA will be cut in half and will run from May 18-22, 2009.
Due to the [...]

Controlling healthcare costs through effective use of prescription drugs

 To effectively evaluate  any healthcare system, the true costs of the delivery of appropriate care  must be understood (and the costs of not providing treatment).  The following is an interesting article on the much-debated topic of Health Reform in America and the drivers of health spending — chronic conditions, hospital expenditures, etc.
Prescription drugs scapegoat for rising [...]

World Asthma Day – May 5th

Today (May 5th) is World Asthma Day and this year’s theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”
60% of the estimated 3 million people in Canada living with asthma do not have their symptoms under control.  With this is mind, the Asthma Society of Canada will observe World Asthma Day with several initiatives concerning control.
World Asthma Day is [...]