New mural unveiled at Sudbury hospital's outpatient centre
Change is the name of a new, two-panel mural at Health Sciences North's Sudbury Outpatient Centre, created by students and faculty in Cambrian College's Design and Visual Arts program. Pictured from left to right are students Bronwynn Kuilboer, Raine De Dominicis, and Emily Audette, along with professor Johanna Westby. (Cambrian College)
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Globe and Mail
27 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Ontario's planned crackdown on exclusivity deals could go further, pharmacy regulator says
The board of Ontario's pharmacy regulator said on Monday the province's proposed new restrictions on exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies were a good step, but should go further to protect patient safety. Ontario recently began a second public consultation on preferred provider (or pharmacy) networks (PPNs), a type of deal between pharmacies and insurers that can restrict where patients get medication. The consultation proposes two options for restricting the deals: 'any able and willing provider' legislation that would allow any pharmacy to join an insurer's network if they met the necessary criteria; and 'standardized and mandatory exemptions' that would allow any patient to go outside a network if they met conditions set by a regulator. The province leaves it open to whether it could pursue either, both or neither option. The board of the Ontario College of Pharmacists has been discussing a potential crackdown on PPNs since early last year, even passing a motion expressing 'zero tolerance' for closed networks last July. The board discussed the latest consultation at its meeting Monday. A briefing document prepared and distributed by college staff ahead of time suggested the province's proposals could be 'strengthened' to meet the regulator's goals of guaranteeing patient choice, continuity of care and access to care. Ontario regulator condemns exclusive deals between pharmacies, insurance companies Board chair Doug Brown, who owns and runs a pharmacy in the town of Port Perry, said he acknowledged that there was frustration in the community 'over what is perceived to be the lack of progress on this issue.' However, he said the consultation – which is run by Ontario's Ministry of Finance – crosses multiple industries and needs to be done carefully. He said any new actions undertaken by the college could be undone depending on how the legislation is eventually drafted, and so it would be prudent for the regulator to wait for now. 'But let me be absolutely clear, the college is prepared to move quickly and decisively once the government has confirmed what it will or won't do to address the clear concerns that remained unresolved,' he said. Most board members expressed support for the province's proposed options. Elnora Magboo, one of the board's public members, asked during the meeting whether PPNs could provide greater access to medication because of savings negotiated between the agreement's participants. Ontario considers rule to limit exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies Insurers have argued PPNs are useful tools to keep costs down. They say the deals allow them to negotiate discounts from pharmacies that they pass on to plan sponsors. But some of the board's independent pharmacists, who are often kept out of these networks in favour of large chain pharmacies, pushed back on the idea that there are cost savings, and raised other concerns with the deals. Siva Sivapalan, a community pharmacist in Beamsville, raised a witness the board heard from last July, whose medication was delivered by a network pharmacy to a non-refrigerated area at the back of a craft store. That witness – a teacher from Waterloo named Amy Miller – lodged a complaint with the network pharmacy last summer. In the months since, she has expressed frustration at the slow pace of the college's investigation and the difficulty in obtaining her medication from her preferred source. 'Every month that passes without a decision makes my access to care more uncertain,' Ms. Miller wrote in a letter sent to the board in May, which she shared with The Globe and Mail. 'Every delay deepens the harm. And every public statement you make about protecting patients becomes more hollow.' College spokesperson Dave Bourne said the regulator could not share details about Ms. Miller's case, but continues to investigate concerns about PPNs. Speaking generally, he said some complaints are complex and time-consuming to investigate. 'We understand Ms. Miller's frustration with the time being taken to address her complaint, and we empathize with her situation,' he said in an e-mail.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Innovative surgery could restore some mobility for paralyzed Ontario teen
This week,16-year-old Henry Black will become one of the youngest Ontarians to ever receive a cutting-edge nerve transfer surgery, potentially restoring some mobility in his hands and arms.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘We can't escape it': Wildfire smoke blanketing Calgary
The familiar sight of wildfire smoke blanketing Calgary has returned for another year, raising concerns about air quality and public health. While current smoke levels are deemed moderate for the general public, those who are at risk or have medical conditions should reduce activity. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the agency advises that individuals without pre-existing health conditions, such as shortness of breath or heart and lung issues, can continue outdoor activities. However, those with such conditions are encouraged to consider rescheduling or reducing the intensity and duration of strenuous outdoor activities. The white haze across Calgary has become a persistent reminder of the ongoing wildfire season for Raf Nazareno and his dog. 'I guess we can't escape it now. And it's coming. And let's hope it's not too bad,' he said. 'I feel like July and August is probably going to be really bad this year.' Nazareno, who prefers cooler weather, says he has seen a noticeable increase in haze over the past few days. 'The last couple (of) days, you look to the horizon like the sky is kind of whitish. And then you see that fog. But you know, it's not really fog. It's the smoke that's coming. It's not too bad yet, but it is increasing the last couple of days,' he said. As of Monday, Alberta was battling 66 active wildfires, with significant blazes in the Grand Prairie region, north of Slave Lake and west of Fort McMurray. Beyond provincial boundaries, smoke is also blowing in from northern British Columbia, while fires rage in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Jed Kaplan, a University of Calgary earth, energy and environment professor, confirmed the intensity of the current fire season. 'I'd say the fire season is definitely off to a big start,' he said. He says a warming climate is creating tinder-dry conditions in boreal areas, making them ripe for ignition. Kaplan researches ways to develop better forest management policies to mitigate the impact of destructive blazes. 'A controlled fire can be a way of avoiding some of these really catastrophic and really powerful fires that also send lots of smoke high up in the atmosphere that affects people hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away,' he said. Despite the current moderate air quality, cooler temperatures anticipated this week could offer some relief by helping suppress the smoke. Christy Climenhaga, of Environment and Climate Change Canada, says there is rain in the forecast for the Calgary region. 'We are seeing some pretty decent northwest flow in the province today, which will bring that smoke into southern Alberta,' said Climenhaga. 'We are not expecting air quality advisories or statements at this point to come into southern Alberta.'
