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

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 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: 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 [...]

Bad Science Part 1 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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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: 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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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

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

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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Crohn's Disease update Part 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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 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

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

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, [...]

Proper prescribing recommendations for hypertension Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

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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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

If you are a resident in a nursing home, what is the likelihood you will be prescribed an antipsychotic medication based on a clear indication that it is a required therapy? This question was addressed in an ICES study that looked at the prescribing rates in different Ontario nursing residences. The results published this month [...]

Antipsychotic medication use in Ontario nursing home residences Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A caller to Sunday House Call recently enquired about the drug approval process and why there seems to be certain medications available in other countries but not in Canada? According to a report entitled Access Delayed, Access Denied published by The Fraser Institute, Brett Skinner, Director, Health, Pharmaceutical and Insurance Policy Research states that “the [...]

Access Delayed, Access Denied 2007 report Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The use of anticoagulant medications (warfarin (coumadin)) commonly referred to as blood thinners is an important therapeutic choice in preventing strokes and blood clots. A study, published in the January 9, 2007, issue of the journal Neurology looked at the outcomes of its use especially in the older population. It showed that the rate of [...]

Blood thinner medications and risk of brain hemmorhages Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What do we know about the safety and efficacy of medications when they are used during pregnancy and breastfeeding? What measures do we have in place today and are improvements needed? A new Alliance of health professionals, academia, patients, health care policy experts and industry individuals has been formed to address these issues The Canadian [...]

Safety of medication use during pregnancy Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What proportion of our health care costs does each sector of our health care system consume and what are their growth rates? This answer to question is germane to governments facing serious health care budgetary constraints. There is an argument put forward that hospitals and prescription medication costs are the principle contributors to a system [...]

The Misguided War Against Medicines Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The options for people who want to quit smoking increased by one this week with the introduction of a new treatment approved by Health Canada. Varenicline tartrate (Champix) is a new class of medications specifically designed to compete with nicotine’s affect on the brain. What are the indications for its use? What is its efficacy? [...]

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There is no evidence antibiotics help the vast majority of patients with acute bronchitis, and doctors should stop routinely prescribing them. Acute bronchitis, an inflammation of the main airways to the lungs marked by an irritating cough, is one of the most common conditions treated by primary-care doctors, occurring in about 5 percent of adults [...]

Antiobiotics not effective for acute bronchitis Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For some, smoking cessation can be a simple as throwing the pack away, for others it is a mighty hill to climb. Cigarette smoking is responsible for 30 per cent of all cancers, is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke and is the principle cause of COPD. Dr. Andrew Pipe will present a [...]

What is coming down the pipe medically on the smoking cessation front? Play Now | Play in Popup | Download