News

Quebec emergency rooms reporting major overcrowding, some at more than 200% capacity
Around midday, Montreal General Hospital was at 213% ER capacity; the Jewish General Hospital was reporting 209% capacity; and the Royal Victoria Hospital, part of the McGill University Health Centre, was listed at 203%.
Case of B.C. teen with avian flu shows ‘worrisome’ mutation of virus
In a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine Tuesday, Canadian health officials identified changes in the viral genome sequence of specimens collected from the teenager who tested positive for avian flu and was treated in Vancouver.

Non-alcoholic drinks aren’t just for the sober, as more Canadians cut back

‘It’s less so about this segmentation and the separation and it’s just more so about the freedom of choice.’
Nine Ontario supervised consumption sites set to close will become treatment hubs

The Progressive Conservative government recently fast-tracked legislation banning supervised consumption sites from operating within 200 metres of a school or daycare.
OCP says 59 investigations opened since launch of corporate pressures reporting tools

The college launched its corporate pressures hotline last summer after surveys and town halls revealed many pharmacists were facing pressure from their employers to reach service quotas or other business targets.
Private equity firm Birch Hill completes purchase of Rexall and Well.ca

Birch Hill acquired the drugstore chain from previous owner McKesson Corp. in a transaction that closed Dec. 30, according to documents filed with the federal Competition Tribunal.
B.C. teen with avian flu deemed no longer infectious, taken off supplemental oxygen

A letter sent to the editor of The New England Journal of Medicine signed by Canadian health officials says the British Columbia teenager who tested positive for avian flu has been taken off of supplemental oxygen and is no longer infectious.
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Check out FIP’s video series on global pharmacy-based vaccination practices

The four part video series explores policy evolution, prescribing authority and funding models for pharmacy-based vaccinations across seven countries.
Alberta docs: Have thoughts on the new payment model?

We’re looking to speak to doctors in Alberta about what they think of the new primary care physician compensation model.