On May 22, 2013, Health Canada approved proposals from Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Hema-Quebec (HQ) to change the blood donor deferral period for men who have sex with men from a lifetime deferral to five years. This regulatory decision came as a result of proposed licence amendments submitted in December 2012 from both blood … Read more
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) wrapped up her participation in the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) with a discussion on approaches to mental health promotion and suicide prevention with health officials representing other circumpolar nations. The minister hosted the roundtable to build upon commitments made in 2011 by Arctic Health Ministers in the Nuuk Arctic … Read more
Health Canada's review of the safety of the anti-acne medication Diane-35 has found that the drug's benefits continue to outweigh the risks, when used as authorized. In Canada, Diane-35 is approved for the temporary treatment of severe acne – with associated symptoms of high levels of male hormone, including seborrhea (oily skin) and mild hirsutism … Read more
Health Canada has released information about barbeque food safety tips. More information is available online. Call 613-957-2983. Health Canada has been made aware of three products ("Rochefort", "Rush" and "Amsterdam Special"), commonly known as "poppers", labelled to contain alkyl nitrites . These products, labelled as leather cleaners and/or liquid incense, are known to be used … Read more
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) announced that Canada's Food and Drug Regulations have been amended to extend the requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to active ingredients (AI) used in pharmaceutical drugs. These amendments will come into force in the fall of this year. More information is available online. Call 613-957-2983.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) acknowledged three exceptional nurses for their dedication, initiative and high standard of excellence in service to First Nations and Inuit communities. At the eleventh Annual First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Award of Excellence in Nursing ceremony in Ottawa, the winners were awarded the National Award of Excellence in Nursing … Read more
Health Canada is reminding Canadians of the importance of allergy awareness. For those individuals with food allergies, severe allergic reactions can occur quickly and without warning. In fact, some can be life-threatening for people of all ages, particularly children. It is estimated, based on clinically documented cases, that approximately 1.8 million Canadians may be affected … Read more
Health Canada is reminding Canadians that the consumption of certain whole salted fish products like fesikh, a traditional dish in the Egyptian community, represents an increased risk of botulism. The fish used to make these specific salted fish dishes are not gutted before the ripening and salting process. This provides an opportunity for Clostridium botulinum … Read more
Health Canada is informing Canadians and Canadian health care professionals of the risk of eye injury associated with the improper use of contact lens cleaning and disinfecting solutions that contain 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide. More information is available online. Call 613-957-2983.
Health Canada provided direction to organizations involved in the compounding and admixing of medications that will allow them to continue providing these services while Health Canada and the provinces and territories work together to determine the proper long-term oversight of these activities. The full release is available online. Call 613-957-2983. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) … Read more
