World Asthma Day 2011

May 3rd is World Asthma Day. The theme of this year’s event is ‘You Can Control Your Asthma’, and involves a number of activities with asthma and lung health organizations worldwide.

The Asthma Society of Canada announced that they have added allergy support to their asthma support line service.  In addition, the ASC has partnered with Walmart to offer over 270 asthma clinics across the country today.

As reported by the BBC (listen to the radio interview), lives are being put at risk because GPs lack the training they need to treat asthma, according to a study by Asthma UK.  Neil Churchill, chief executive of the charity Asthma UK, told BBC Radio 5 live:  ”Education for healthcare professionals could be improved.”

Preventing September asthma peak

Courtesy of the Asthma Society of Canada:

Canadian researchers have found that the September back-to school period brings a dramatic increase in hospitalizations for children with asthma. This increase starts when students return to school and will peak in the third week of September and continue into October.  This year, it is expected to peak between Sept 20 and 26th.

What can you do?

1. Speak with your Certified Asthma Educator and/or healthcare provider to:

• assess your child’s level of asthma control
• have their inhaler technique checked (www.asthmameds.ca)
• perform spirometry (breathing test – usually can be performed age 6 and older)
• review your Asthma Action Plan

2. Speak to your child’s school about their policy on asthma inhaler use and advocate that your student carry their rescue inhaler with them

3. Ensure your child is on their asthma controller medication throughout the year (if prescribed) , even when symptom free.  Many students stop their daily asthma controller medications during the summer months and as a result their airways may be inflamed, leaving them more susceptible to the cold virus triggering their asthma during the September Asthma Peak

4. Monitor your child for asthma symptoms daily

5. Identify your child’s triggers (anything that can make their asthma worse) and take steps to minimize trigger exposure

6. Speak to your child about the importance of hand washing to avoid catching and spreading the cold virus

For more information please visit http://asthma.ca/adults/control/septemberPeak.php

World Asthma Day

Today – May 4^th, 2010 – is World Asthma Day.

World Asthma Day is an annual event to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.  The theme of this year’s event is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”  World Asthma Day takes place annually on the first Tuesday of May.

In recognition of the Day, the Asthma Society of Canada (ASC) launched an interactive, virtual tool for people living with asthma and associated allergies, to stay informed on important issues and information needed to plan outdoor activities.

The AsthmaToday Widget can be downloaded to a computer or laptop to gain instant access to the local Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), available for a number of Canadian cities, as well as local weather forecasts and relative humidity. The AsthmaToday Widget also provides the latest news updates from the ASC on programs, educational materials and research, including developments on advocacy initiatives from the ASC’s National Asthma Patient Alliance (NAPA).

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 sanctioned by the United Nations and is coordinated by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA).  Check out GINA’s website for a listing of Asthma Day events around world.

Canadian sentenced for creating counterfeit drugs

Recently, there has been significant media coverage of the ongoing efforts of IMPACT, the WHO, many national  governments and other organizations to eliminate the distribution of counterfeit medicines.  For the most part, stories of counterfeit medicines have focused on African countries.  While counterfeit medicines are certainly more prevalent in areas of Africa than in many developed countries, we often forget that we’re not immune to the problem.

Following the seizure of 2 million dollars worth of counterfeit medicines, a man pleaded guilty to manufacturing and selling fake prescription drugs in Canada.  What is the penalty he’ll pay for endagering patient’s lives?  Less than two years in jail…

Waterloo man sentenced for creating counterfeit drugs - (570 News)

A Waterloo man pleaded guilty yesterday to a string of charges following the seizure of 2-million dollars worth of drugs.

45-year-old Fernand Reis. — a self-taught chemist –was found in possession of counterfeit prescription drugs and steroids. He admitted in court to selling the drugs online to various nutrition and health businesses in Kitchener, Hamilton and the Toronto area.

Reis pleaded guilty to 15 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking and importing drugs to Canada.

In a plea deal, he was sentenced to the equivalent of 22 months in jail.

Accurate Information

I was quite surprised to see my name in an Essential Information release the other day. Until very recently I had never heard of them, and they have never contacted me for permission to print my name.

Yes, I am a proud member of the Board of Directors of the Asthma Society of Canada (ASC) nearing the end of my term of service. By day I am the Director of the Health Leadership Institute at McMaster University where I am a tenured professor of health services. The ASC is Canada’s voice for the patient with asthma, COPD and allergies. The ASC created the Asthma Patient’s Bill of Rights – which is all about living well with asthma including timely access to treatments (which is a huge problem in Canada’s socialized healthcare system.) At the IAPO Congress (International Alliance of Patient Organizations) this year, where I presented a paper on patient-centred care for asthma, I willingly signed the Patient Declaration. I am proud of our work with patients in Canada.

In an ideal world the ASC would have a $3 million budget. For years we have fallen short of that and without the unconditional support of industry (and not just pharmaceutical firms) we would be in a crisis. I welcome Essential Information, whoever you are, to step up and contribute. We need your help too. Asthma is rampant amongst Canadians yet little funding has been allocated to it as a chronic disease by our governments. The ASC does what it can to raise awareness about living well with asthma, to educate patients and providers about best practices in managing their condition, and to get asthma onto the politician’s health funding agenda.

The fact that the ASC accepts unconditional corporate donations had no bearing on my willingness to sign the Patient Declaration – it was the right thing to do. To suggest anything else, as Essential Information has, is irresponsible and rubbish

To contribute to the ASC please refer to our website at http://www.asthma.ca.

 

D. Wayne Taylor, Ph.D.