June 2005

ACTION ITEMS

“Half Measures on the Half Shell”: Are import duties on oysters a solution to Cross-Border Internet

Unless consumers and concerned citizens get involved in pressing for solutions to cross-border Internet pharmacy and the bulk importation of Canadian drugs into the U.S., Ottawa will likely keep playing around with more policy “oysters”. read more | comments

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

CAPA approaches end of two year mandate with national election

Just when you thought the “E” word was tucked away until the new year, along comes CAPA’s country-wide call to the general membership for nominations to the Steering Committee and subsequent election of leaders. read more | comments

COMMENT AND PERSPECTIVE

Public involvement a “first” for Health Canada: Expert Advisory Panel reviews COX-2 evidence

Health Canada opened up its drug review process to the public when it held its Expert Advisory Panel (EAP) and Public Forum on the selective COX-2 inhibitors in Ottawa on June 9th. The EAP heard and questioned pharmaceutical drug company presentations in public and included public input as part of the evidence being considered. read more | view PDF (106.42KB) | comments

New technology for old backs:  Refuse to fuse

Grandma’s ‘bad back’ may soon be a thing of the past. Surgeons attending the Spinal Arthroplasty Society fifth annual international conference in New York say patients should investigate every other potential treatment before choosing fusion. read more | comments

Effective Consumers.  Expert Patients

No matter what’s it’s called, the spirit behind the words is similar - people are becoming more involved in their health and in the way health care is delivered. read more | comments

Home Care in Ontario:  Part 3

Like the situation in Western Canada where bed closures, early discharge from surgical units and an increased demand for services have the system bursting at the seams, Home Care in Ontario is also under tremendous strain. read more | comments

Arthritis Self Management:  Program pioneer provides workshops

Over 70 health professions, consumers, and 80 members of the public gathered on a snowy day in New Brunswick to chat with ASMP program pioneer Dr. Kate Lorig about current issues, and proffer innovative solutions to age old ASMP problems. read more | comments

Inside the briefcase: Take a look

• Disability benefits, policy guidelines and social research

  Changes in government policy related to Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits, guidelines for patient involvement in Health Policy, and three research projects that move away from traditional clinical trials and focus on the psycho-social aspect of living with arthritis are all featured in CAPA’s briefcase. read more | comments

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

Summer Stock

The annual ritual of inventory taking, cigar smoking and the anticipation of fishing the northern lakes mystified this arthritis consumer until the tug of the line reeled her in. read more | comments