Briefcase

Last Summer CAPA member Sue Werner reported from Manitoba on a private members’ bill tabled in the Legislature on June 12th. This Winter she was pleased to report that the Apology Act was passed into legislation on February 6th.

Many countries provide free access to The Cochrane Library for their citizens; however, in Canada a patchwork of subscriptions across the country leaves most professional and lay people excluded from full access to this internationally recognized library. Please join Cochrane’s request for funding by signing their petition by May 8, 2008.

The World Alliance for Patient Safety in collaboration with the Patients for Patient Safety Programme is calling for participation in the 2nd phase of the International Hand Survey. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and the results will feed directly into the final guidelines on Hand Hygiene produced by the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety team due to be launched towards the end of 2008.

New from the folks at Cochrane this year is Relay their quarterly magazine. Relay has something for everyone: Results of the Health of Older People project; P.E.A.R.L (Practice evidence about real life situations) designed for practitioners; and surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel plus much more.

In addition to Relay, Cochrane News, the international newsletter of The Cochrane Collaboration is available for your reading enjoyment. We are invited to participate in a five-minute survey to help improve the newsletter.

Counterfeit medicines are a serious threat to the health of people around the world. ProtectMyMeds.com offers a comprehensive resource for up-to-date information on counterfeit medicines including position statements from international patient and health care organizations.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. has complied with a request from Health Canada to cease the sales and marketing of Prexige (*), a COX-2 selective inhibitor for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with immediate effect.

Celebrex made headlines again this year with Alberta’s decision to halt “full coverage” of the drug that scores of patients rely on to achieve a reasonable quality of life. What are other provinces doing? Check out Celebrex listing decisions across Canadian public drug plans.

UCB Pharma Canada announces recipients of the inaugural UCBeyond Crohn’s Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis Scholarship Programs.

UCB Pharma Canada initiates a national scholarship program for students living with Crohn’s Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Canadian Health, a wellness magazine from the Canadian Medical Association asks Anne Dooley, "How do you cope with your arthritis."

CAPA letter to provincial health ministers advises of two new biologic medications and requests accelerated review.

Looking for quick and easy access to arthritis information? You've come to the right address www.arthritis.ca/tips/medications