Sunday House Call, #430,  February 17, 2013

When Dr. Ben Goldacre was last on Sunday House Call, we were discussing his international bestseller, Bad Science. His recent book released on February 5, Bad Pharma, exposes the multitude of problems inherent in the drug approval process, the manner in which clinical studies are conducted, how negative outcomes in studies are hidden, the marketing of drugs, the influence upon academic institutions and publications to promote findings for particular drugs, and most importantly the potential harm and indeed real harm that has befallen many people because of the hidden data.

Dr. Ben Goldacre is a physician and writer.

Sunday House Call, #430, February 17, 2013: An interview with Dr. Ben Goldacre about his new book Bad Pharma Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Madely Health Headlines Commentary for September 2, 2010

Mouse studies indicate that diabetes medication may aid in the treatment of certain cancers Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Source:

Diabetes drug shows potential as a cancer fighter

Afternoon Edition – H1N1 Special
Rob Snow and Dr Barry Dworkin host a four hour special on H1N1 answering your questions about the virus and the vaccine to protect against it.

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References:

Public Health Agency of Canada – National Advisory Committee On Immunization: Influenza Vaccine
Thimerosal in Vaccines
Thimerosal and Vaccine Safety
Squalene information from FDA site
Information on opposing voices and the methodology employed
An Epidemic of fear
The Cochrane Influenza Resources
Cochrane review of vaccines and autism claim

As the focus of attention turns to the H1N1 outbreak that is now occurring across the country, the public faces an array of information sources that will influence their opinion about vaccination. There have been many claims and critiques about the H1N1 vaccine and it has become a springboard to envelop other vaccines and vaccination [...]

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With the H1N1 flu season upon us, the need to provide credible evidenced-based information to the public is an essential in order to answer questions and concerns. Dr. Isra Levy, the City of Ottawa’s Chief Medical Offer of Health and Dr. Nadine Sicard, Associate Medical Offer of Health and member of the National Advisory Committee [...]

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Original broadcast date: August 9, 2009 The statistics are compelling and disturbing. An article written by Val Jones on the website Science Based Medicine notes the following: -    Pfizer Global Security raids resulted in seizure of 11.1 million counterfeit tablets, capsules and vials in 42 countries in 2008. Pfizer seizure of counterfeit drugs in 2008 [...]

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Original broadcast date: July 19, 2009 The understanding of a disease process or pathophysiology is crucial to the development of innovative ways to find effective therapies to treat it. On Sunday House Call we have been following various avenues in cancer research that continue to reveal insights into the protein chemistry, genetics and immune response [...]

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Original broadcast date: July 19, 2009 In a recent issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Drs. Tito Fojo of the National Cancer Institute’s medical oncology division and Christine Grady of the NIH’s bioethics department recommended that studies of cancer drugs that provide two months or less of extended survival should be undertaken [...]

A common concern for many of my patients at some point in their lives is the inability to sleep. Indeed, this is a common problem in our society with many remedies, medications and therapies portending to provide “the solution” to our sleep disorders. What does the evidence say regarding the best approach to help those [...]

Overcoming persistent insomnia Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: May 18, 2009 Of great concern to many travelers is the prevention of infectious diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis A and B, malaria, and enterotoxigenic E. coli among others. Another common form of traveler’s diarrhea caused by the bacteria campylobacter jejuni is becoming resistant to antibiotic therapy. A research group from the [...]

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In an editorial by Dr. Noni MacDonald and the Globe and Mail’s Andre Picard entitled “A plea for clear language on vaccine safety”, a case is made for plain English and more direct language when discussing and interpreting research findings and clinical recommendations. As outlined in his book “Bad Science” in a recent interview on [...]

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Original broadcast date: March 29, 2009 If there is one quote that epitomizes the plethora of ideas expressed in physician and Guardian columnist Dr. Ben Goldacre’s book bad science, it is this from paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science, Steven Jay Gould: “ When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their [...]

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Original broadcast date: February 15, 2009

What is the state of cancer care in Canada? What are we doing right and what needs more attention? The Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada (CACC) released its annual Report Card on Cancer in Canada on Feb 10, 2009. It is authored by oncologists and cancer patients across the country and highlights inadequacies, ills and disconnects within the system, and offers recommendations for improvements.

• Dr. Kong Khoo, MD FRCPC, Kelowna based Medical oncologist, clinical assistant professor, University of British Columbia and Vice Chair, Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada

Report Card on Cancer Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: February 1, 2009 Have you had a Monster or a Red Bull or one of the myriad of “energy” drinks recently? Have you had a chance to read the ingredients label? If you have not, you may want to reconsider. A study published in the September 2008 edition of the journal Drug [...]

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Original broadcast date: January 25, 2009 So you are set to travel south for a winter escape vacation. Since many also book these vacations on a last minute basis, they tend to forget that there are some health issues that need to be considered. One such issue is malaria. Dr. Jay Keystone, MD, MSc (CTM),. [...]

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Amongst the myriad of childhood vaccine success stories, the introduction of Prevnar 6 years ago to guard against infections stemming from the bacterium streptococcal pneumonia, has protected countless children from bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infections; this form of pneumococcal disease is the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death in children younger than five [...]

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Although the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and women to prevent and reduce the risk of genital warts and cervical cancer, it is unknown how well it works on the other half of the population, that is boys and men. Data, presented at the European Research Organization on Genital Infection [...]

Efficacy of HPV vaccine in boys and men Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

One of the complications immediately after hip and knee surgery is an increased risk of blood clots called venous thrombosis. Indeed, many people have to take blood thinners by injection daily for about ten days after their surgery. A McMaster University researcher, after four extensive clinical studies, the latest published in the June 26 edition [...]

New blood thinner to prevent clots Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A partnership among The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) has produced a program to raise awareness and educate patients through the publication of Knowledge is the best medicine. The aim is to promote safe and appropriate medication use among Canadians. Mr. Ronnie Miller, [...]

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In the elderly, the response to stressful procedures like surgery can lead to some post-operative effects on mood and perception. These effects can hamper the recovery process. A new study published in the September 2008 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal from Ontario’s Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) found the use of stains [...]

Statins may increase risk of delerium after surgery in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

How does Canada compare to other countries with respect to the provision of new medications for people over 65 years of age and low income families? A study by Wyatt Health Management looked at 18 OECD countries. Unfortunately, the results support previous findings by other organizations; we did not fare very well. George Wyatt, Managing [...]

Health Canada slow to approve new medications Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Scientists at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) have discovered that a cancer drug – Bryostatin – enhances the formation of new connections in rat brains during memory storage.  This drug could potentially increase normal memory capacity in humans as well as repair and restore memory lost from Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and head trauma. An [...]

Medication increases memory function Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ontario’s Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) reported recently that fewer Canadian children are getting the immunizations they need, putting themselves and others at much greater risk of contracting and spreading vaccine-preventable diseases. Interestingly immigrant children’s vaccination rates are better. The study, Immunization Coverage Among Young Children of Urban Immigrant Mothers: Findings from a Universal [...]

Fewer Canadian children are being vaccinated Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A new study from the Canadian Institute of Health Information reports that hormone replacement therapy or HRT has decreased by 60 per cent among women aged 65 and older over the past five years. This drop occurred after the publication of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, which found the health risks of using [...]

CIHI HRT study review Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Although the media have not paid much attention to avian flu recently, research into an H5N1 avian flu vaccine continues. Results of a phase I and phase II trial on a new human vaccine against H5N1 bird flu virus made from cell culture instead of embryonated eggs show that it is safe and effective against [...]

New flu vaccine production process Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

New flu vaccine production process Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Lung Association is calling for universally accessible smoking cessation supports for all smokers living in Canada. This recommendation is based on the results of its new report entitled “Making Quit Happen: Canada’s Challenges to Smoking Cessation”. Dr. Anthony D’Urzo, MD, MSc, BPHE, CCFP, FCFP, Family Physician and Director of Primary Care Lung Clinic, Toronto [...]

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An ICES study recently reported that older adults with dementia who receive short-term courses of antipsychotic medications are more likely to experience a serious adverse event requiring hospitalization than those who do not take the drugs. Dr. Paula Rochon, MD, MPH, FRCPC Senior Scientist and Assistant Director at the Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit – [...]

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In March 2007, we spoke with Brett Skinner of the Fraser Institute about Canadians’ access to new medications. We had had several organizations mention the difficulties and frustrations they have regarding medications that could provide better outcomes and yet are delayed in the approval process. Brett Skinner, Fraser Institute Director of Health, Pharmaceutical and Insurance [...]

Access Delayed, Access Denied - Waiting For New Medicines Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Chronic hepatitis B affects an estimated 230,000-290,000 people in Canada. Though there is a range of new effective antiretroviral treatments that can help reduce disease complications, the estimated 80,000 – 100,000 chronic hepatitis B patients in Ontario have only limited options paid for by the Ontario Drug Benefit Program. Last week the British Columbia government [...]

Ontario Health Ministry limits coverage for Hepatitis B medications Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: March 23, 2008 We are repeatedly reminded that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada. Yet, why is it that even after a heart attack, many people do not get around to filling that doctor-ordered prescription? A new study published in the journal Circulation from Ontario’s Institute for Clinical [...]

Patients not compliant with medications after heart attack Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: February 24, 2008 Dr. Richmond Sy will be answering questions about Crohn’s disease and some of the recent treatment advances. If time permits a discussion about other gastrointestinal disorders, colon cancer prevention and the role of food and diet on reducing cancer risk Dr. Richmond Sy, MD, FRCPC, Gastroenterologist at the Ottawa [...]

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Original broadcast date: February 24, 2008 Ulcerative Colitis is one of several inflammatory bowel diseases that damages the large intestine. It is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting about 65,000 Canadians with 4,000 new cases reported annually. Treatments are varied and each confronts various aspects of the pathophysiology of the disease. Dr. Hillary Steinhart, MD MSc [...]

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Original broadcast date: February 10, 2008 The standard of care to date for people dependent on prescription pain medications like morphine or oxycodone or who have a history of heroin addiction has included the use of methadone to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. A new medication, approved by Health Canada offers some advantages as an [...]

Soboxone to help manage addiction Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: January 27, 2008 This week the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended “individual infants and their families are likely to benefit from immunization with the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine. The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians supports this recommendation. Dr. Vincent Grant, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital and [...]

Rotavirus vaccine reommended by NACI Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: January 20, 2008 One of the more difficult aspects in treating agitation and aggressive behaviour in people with Alzheimer’s is choosing medications that are effective but without severe side effects. In a study published online in the September 2007 issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, researchers at Toronto’s Baycrest geriatric [...]

Antipsychotic meds effects Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: January 13, 2008 The prevalence of type  II diabetes continues to increase and estimates are that three million Canadians will be diagnosed with the disease by 2010. The mainstays of control and prevention, weight loss and exercise, are not always heeded, and as such, medications are employed to control blood sugar levels. [...]

Sitagliptin approved in Canada Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Although the focus for many people is to prevent illness and stay as healthy and independent as possible, as we age, the more likely we will be diagnosed with various diseases states or conditions. As a result, the elderly are prescribed more medications that have the potential to cause harm through drug interactions and not [...]

Prescribing leading to polypharmacy in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Food science is a major topic for discussion on Sunday House Call. To me, there was one seminal interview that beautifully encapsulated the exciting science and discovery of the biochemistry of foods and the role they play in fighting cancer.

The interview in June 2006 featured Dr. Richard Beliveau, author of Foods That Fight Cancer: Preventing Cancer through Diet. To date, 200,000 copies of the book have sold in Canada, an incredible number given that 5,000 is considered a best-seller.

As we discussed in our last interview of June 25, 2006, phytochemicals in the foods we eat can play a significant role in cancer prevention and overall health; literally a non-toxic version of chemotherapy. Our current Western diets seem to have weakened our body’s ability to fend off certain types of cancer among other diseases. In short, our society’s food choices have become divorced from reality and from our biology and physiology.

It seems the next logical step was to expand on the science and, at the same time, produce a book on how to incorporate these foods into our diet. With that in mind sprung his next book, Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer.

• Dr. Richard Beliveau, author of Foods That Fight Cancer: Preventing Cancer Through Diet and Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer, Biochemistry professor and Chair in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer at the University of Quebec at Montreal and director of the Molecular Medicine Laboratory at Sainte Justine Hospital. He is also professor of Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal.
  

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The Competition Bureau an independent law enforcement agency of Industry Canada recently released a report investigating the pricing and marketing of generic medications in Canada. Their findings were similar to those reported by Brett Skinner of the Fraser Institute several months ago. The Competition Bureau has concerns that despite strong competition between generic medication manufacturers, [...]

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An October 11, 2007 media advisory from Health Canada raised concerns regarding the safety of “over-the-counter” (non-prescription) cough and cold products in children. An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration called for all over-the-counter pediatric cough and cold medicines to be banned. Pharmaceutical companies have issued a voluntary recall of these products [...]

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There are several Alzheimer’s disease medications that are used to slow the decline of memory, language and thinking abilities. A study published in October issue of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) sought to answer several questions regarding the duration of therapy, whether there is a point [...]

The limitations of Alzheimer's medications Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Come the end of October and early November, flu vaccination programs will be in full swing. Although for most healthy adults and children the disease can be weathered with good outcomes, those with chronic disease, the very young and the elderly may not do so well. A new study, Trends in influenza vaccination in Canada, [...]

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There is a reason why high blood pressure or hypertension is called the silent killer. Most people are simply unaware that they have it. In general there are no symptoms until damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, or legs occurs. It is essential to control hypertension before it leads to this damage. In that vein, [...]

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Antibiotics play a pivotal role fighting pathologic bacterial infections. However, there use is being redefined for some conditions. For example, the standard of care in some countries for treating middle ear infections in children is to treat the pain and wait a few days because it can resolve on its own. This prevents bacterial resistance [...]

Asthma risk in children with antibiotic use during infancy Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What is the true cost of prescription medications in Canada compared to other countries? It is generally assumed that the cost of prescription medications is increasing at a rapid rate. Governments looking for ways to control spending may not be saving as much as they could according to a new study, Canada’s Drug Price Paradox [...]

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Many people have difficulty sleeping in hospitals. Noisy wards to visits to the loss of a person’s lack daily routine are some of the contributing factors to insomnia. A new ICES study, Initiation of benzodiazepines in the elderly after hospitalization, in the July 2007 issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine looked at prescribing [...]

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How many people remember seeing a child with polio? The success of vaccination programs has created a situation that elegantly illustrates how we think about risk and danger. Because most people have no experience with the disease, many do not perceive it to be a danger anymore. However other areas of the world unfortunately do [...]

Global Polio Eradication Program Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bipolar disorder is an inheritable illness that leads to extreme mood swings. About one in 100 Canadians suffer from this condition over their lifetime. Efforts are being made to understand the pathophysiology or mechanism of the disease process. Researchers at UCLA are contributing to this understanding. In the July issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry, [...]

Insight into how lithium interacts with the brain Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have had calls to Sunday House Call from listeners who were had chronic pain that was not adequately controlled. Many of the callers were older individuals whose quality of life was suffering. By 2025, almost one quarter of all Canadians will be over 65 years old. Chronic pain in older people is associated with [...]

Controlling chronic pain in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Malaria infects as many as 300-500 million people a year most of these occurring in Africa and more than one to three million cases of malaria each year result in death. It is the leading cause of death for children under age five in sub-Saharan Africa, and a predominant killer of pregnant women and their [...]

A look at an experimental malaria vaccine Play Now | Play in Popup | Download