Health Canada is advising consumers about the potential risk associated with the use of Sunjel gel fuel. Pourable gel fuels can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when they are poured into a firepot that is still burning or still hot. Gel fuels that splatter and ignite can pose fire and burn … Read more
Patients with a rare condition known as myasthenia gravis who take a fluoroquinolone antibiotic may risk a worsening of their symptoms, including muscle weakness or breathing problems. The risk of this happening is considered rare, but serious. Use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics should be avoided in patients with a known history of myasthenia gravis. The full … Read more
Health Canada is advising Canadians that Colgate-Palmolive is recalling their "Colgate Motion Electric Toothbrush." Health Canada has been advised by Colgate-Palmolive that there have been nine incident reports in Canada associated with the use of their "Colgate Motion Electric Toothbrush" device. The incident reports submitted to the company by Canadians described that their toothbrushes had … Read more
Health Canada is informing Canadians that it is working with Eli Lilly Canada, Inc. to withdraw the drug Xigris (drotrecogin alfa) from the Canadian market, in light of the company's decision to withdraw Xigris from the market worldwide. The withdrawal is in light of a large international clinical trial, known as the PROWESS-SHOCK study that … Read more
Health Canada would like to remind Canadians of the importance of good food safety practices while home canning. With the renewed popularity of seasonal, local eating and the desire to prepare healthy foods at home, many Canadians are looking to home canning to preserve food for later use. However, if home canned foods are not … Read more
Health Canada is reviewing the heart-related safety of the prescription antidepressant citalopram. The review is in light of new study data suggesting that high doses (60 mg/day) can affect the electrical activity of the heart. The changes in electrical activity could potentially lead to serious, possibly fatal abnormal heart rhythms. Patients with questions or concerns … Read more
The government announced new measures that will provide consumers with more information about energy drinks, to help ensure Canadian families make informed choices when it comes to these popular beverages. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) said parents need to have access to as much information as possible, to help families make good decisions when it … Read more
Health Canada release the the October 2011 issue of the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter. This issue focuses on medical devices. It includes an article on a pre-packaged surgical tray used in various eye surgeries and reports of a suspected contamination with lint, fibres or other particles. The complete issue can be viewed online. Call 613-957-2983. … Read more
The Government of Canada announced the renewal of its commitment to protect Canadian families and consumers by updating Canada's world-leading Chemicals Management Plan. The announcement provides funding for the next phase of the plan, which will focus on further improving product safety in Canada, completing assessments of 500 substances across nine categories including phthalates, primarily … Read more
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) and Minister of State (Seniors) Alice Wong (Richmond, BC) announced that 10 new Neurological Health Charities Canada research projects nationwide will benefit from approximately $6 million in funding from the government. Aglukkaq said through this research, Canadians will gain reliable information on the extent of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's … Read more
