Be Aware Health Care | October 10th, 2023

Canada - The Only One Without A National School Food Program

Canada is the only G7 country without a national school food program or national standards for such programs. While provinces have different needs and programs, there isn't a coordinated approach to feeding students. Research shows that school meal initiatives led by community organizations are not adequate substitutes for comprehensive national programs. One in four Canadian children experience "food insecurity," and 33 percent of food bank users in Canada are children. The federal government promised to invest $1 billion in a national school meal program over five years, but additional support for existing programs is needed to take this step.

In This Week’s Email:

Ontario News

1. Pharmacists in Ontario Granted Authority

2. Ontario Health Teams and Convenient Care at Home Act

3. In Review | Controversial Pay-For-Care Clinic in Ottawa

Canada News

1. Famous Weight-Loss Drug | More Harm Than Good?

2. Canada's Doctor Shortage Worsens Amid Limited Residency Spots

3. Quebec Takes Legal Action Against Opioid Manufacturers

4. Campaign Challenges Health Canada’s Regulation of Natural Health Products

Ontario News

Pharmacists in Ontario Granted Authority 

Pharmacists in Ontario can now diagnose and treat 19 common ailments, including acne, diaper rash, and urinary tract infections. However, they are still unable to prescribe birth control or emergency contraception, which is permitted in most other Canadian provinces. The Ontario Pharmacists Association is advocating for the inclusion of birth control and emergency contraception on the list of prescriptions that pharmacists can provide. While there is support for this expansion, the public consultation process may delay implementation until 2024.

Pharmacists are often more accessible than primary healthcare providers, and their expanded role could improve access to essential medications. The list of conditions pharmacists can diagnose and treat is expected to grow in the future, pending public consultation.

Ontario Health Teams and Convenient Care at Home Act

The Ontario government is progressing toward better healthcare coordination through Ontario Health Teams. If passed, the Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023, will enable Ontario Health Teams to link individuals with home care services from 2025. Over $128.2 million is being invested to support this initiative. An organization named Ontario Health at Home would be established to coordinate home care services across the province through Ontario Health Teams. This change aims to simplify home care access, offering clear care plans before hospital discharge. Care coordinators from Ontario Health at Home will facilitate smooth transitions between care settings. Twelve Ontario Health Teams will lead home care delivery from 2025, initially focusing on chronic disease management and improving access to healthcare information. The goal is to create a seamless navigation experience for users over time.

In Review | Controversial Pay-For-Care Clinic in Ottawa

Ontario's Ministry of Health is reviewing a walk-in clinic in Ottawa that plans to charge patients $400 a year for access to nurse practitioners. The clinic, set to open in October, has faced criticism for its pay-for-care model. Although legal, such clinics are seen as highlighting gaps in Canada's underfunded healthcare system, providing preferential access to those who can afford the fee.

The clinic's clinical director, Osman Nur, argues they're filling a gap in the healthcare system, as nurse practitioners aren't covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) when working outside provincially funded clinics. The clinic's fee would cover the first consultation and a year of health administration, including medication refills, referrals, and test interpretation. Ontario's Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, has stated the office is looking into the clinic's operations.

Canada News

Famous Weight-Loss Drug | More Harm Than Good?

Using diabetes drugs like Ozempic for weight loss may carry higher risks of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and stomach paralysis compared to medications specifically approved for obesity management, according to a study from the University of British Columbia. Researchers analyzed health insurance claim records of 16 million U.S. patients between 2006 and 2020. They found that drugs containing semaglutide, like Ozempic, and liraglutide, like Victoza, were associated with a significantly higher risk of these gastrointestinal issues when used for weight loss. The study suggests that using diabetes drugs off-label for weight loss may pose risks that need further consideration.

Canada's Doctor Shortage Worsens Amid Limited Residency Spots

Canada faces a severe doctor shortage exacerbated by insufficient residency positions. About 1,000 Canadian doctors trained abroad are turned away yearly due to limited spots, despite the nation's growing healthcare needs. Medical schools admit foreign nationals, often without long-term commitment, under a federal exemption. Critics suggest ending this practice to free up positions for domestic doctors. Currently, only 370 out of 1,810 Canadian international medical graduates secure residencies, leading to a significant brain drain as qualified doctors opt for the U.S. where positions are more available. Canada must address these barriers to tap into its international medical talent pool.

Quebec Takes Legal Action Against Opioid Manufacturers

Quebec is pursuing legal changes to join a class action against opioid manufacturers and distributors, led by British Columbia. The lawsuit accuses more than 40 entities of misleading patients and contributing to the opioid crisis. The proposed bill, known as Bill 36, enables Quebec to participate in such class actions to recover "opioid-related health-care costs" and streamlines civil liability rules for admissible statistical evidence. Opioid-related deaths have surged in Quebec, with 525 suspected deaths between July 2022 and June 2023. The bill targets companies marketing opioids for mild pain, paralleling historical issues with medical substances.

Campaign Challenges Health Canada’s Regulation of Natural Health Products

Thousands of Canadians are mobilizing against Health Canada’s efforts to better regulate natural health products. The Canadian Health Food Association estimates that 75,000 letters and 300,000 postcards have been sent by constituents to their federal elected officials via its advocacy campaign website “Save Our Supplements.” Critics argue that the changes will increase red tape and costs for consumers. Natural health products are a $5.5 billion industry in Canada. The government is also planning “cost recovery” fees starting in 2025, which would make the industry pay for regulatory activities.