G20 should modernize the world’s weapons to fight TB
The G20 leaders’ focus is the economy, but on the weekend they discussed antibiotics. Indeed, many microbes became resistant to the weapons we fight them with, and we stupidly neglected to modernize our arsenal. Resistant infectious diseases cause a lot of suffering and they have serious economic impacts. Among these diseases, tuberculosis should have priority […]
Winners and losers in the changing world of the Canada Health Transfer
The last few years have seen some dramatic changes to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), which in 2017-18 will total $37.15-billion—no small figure. The Harper era saw the move to a full per capita funding formula without a tax-point equalizing adjustment in 2014-15—basically a top-down policy change. Prime Minister Stephen Harper did continue with the […]
Helping the poor in Canada, abroad shouldn’t be zero-sum game
In a troubled and complicated world, we need to maintain focus on helping those in the greatest need. Many complain that we should be spending our foreign-aid money at home where we have extensive poverty but lack the will to deal with it. Being poor in Canada is a luxury compared to the lives lived […]
Serré pitches in for ALS ‘LIFT’ campaign
PARLIAMENT HILL—Liberal MP Marc Serré is using his political profile in an effort to raise interest and awareness in a new ALS campaign that could end up being as fun and a little less chilly than that Ice Bucket Challenge of a few years ago. This time around, the campaign is called Give a LIFT for […]
How should we regulate legally available substances that pose health risks? A lesson from Sweden
The regulation of legally available psychoactive substances that pose serious risks to health and safety is a challenge for all modern societies. Should we let the free market decide price, hours of sales, age of purchase, how products are promoted, and how hazardous the products are? Looking at this coolly and rationally, one might suppose […]
Pharmacare for kids: From Ontario’s lips to the feds’ ears
The Ontario government’s decision to invest in universal drug coverage for those under the age of 25 is a long-needed policy commitment that will help ensure the health of our next generation. In the world of pediatric oncology, it’s a common sight to see children who struggle to gain access to the medicines they need. These medicines […]
Equal, affordable access to medicines in Canada is possible
Across the country, there’s a growing challenge facing federal and provincial governments alike: “this is a breakthrough treatment, but how will we pay for it?” Medical advances have changed the lives of millions of Canadians, but they’ve also highlighted a public policy dilemma: ensuring equitable, timely, and affordable access to medicines. This challenge is amplified […]
Canada should support Taiwan’s participation at world health body
While the 70th World Health Assembly (WHA) gears up to discuss global health issues and relevant policies in Geneva starting May 22, it is our hope that Taiwan will not be absent from this important annual event aiming to “build a better, healthier future for people all over the world.” Taiwan has been continuously invited to […]
Liberals win plaudits for initial steps to address opioid crisis but advocates call for more tools
The statistics get grimmer, seemingly by the day. The headlines darker, more heart wrenching by the click. Canada’s opioid crisis has become full-blown. In British Columbia alone, the undisputed epicentre of the prescription and illicit opioid crisis, there were 922 fatal overdoses in 2016, according to The Canadian Press. “The opioid crisis affects all Canadians. […]
New government, same problems: health-care players want bigger, strategic investments from Ottawa
Stop if you’ve heard this before: Advocates are calling for larger, more focused investments from Ottawa for the country’s health-care system. Despite lofty promises from the federal governing Liberals about recasting Ottawa’s role in the health space and better engagement with key partners, the chorus from those involved in the sector remains little changed. They […]
