Government Briefs

Update - Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
(Update Presented to the Senate Committee Studying Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, February 2000)

Like the population at large it does not have a consensus position on euthanasia. Before a decision is taken on legalizing euthanasia or not, the CPhA feels that it is important to assess the options afforded to people facing death and where warranted insure that they are indeed known and accessible to all who wish to use them. The areas which need to be looked at are Living Wills, palliative care as well as the types of measures which would need to be put in place should legalization of euthanasia be considered.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
(Presentation made to the Senate Committee Studying Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide - November 16, 1994)

Response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Health
Natural Health Products: A new vision

CPhA congratulates the committee on a fairly balanced report in view of the overall number of representations that stemmed from one side of the industry and the very few representations from health care providers and the Canadian public. The association reiterates some of its earlier concerns related to quality manufacturing practices, product licensing, labelling, informed choice and cost recovery.

Herbal and Homeopathic Products: Ensuring Safe Choices
(Presentation made to the Standing Committee on Health - February 5, 1998)

As front line health care professionals, pharmacists are extremely interested in providing safe optimal drug therapy. Since herbal remedies are being used more and more, they need to be considered as part of the continuum of pharmaceutical care. Pharmacists need to know the pharmacological properties and effective uses of common herbal products, they need to be able to recognize the potential for any drug interactions, or allergic reactions and be assured of the quality of the products they provide.

"A Call for Action" - Report of the Task Force Year 2000
(Presentation made to the Standing Committee on Industry - March 9, 1998)

As one of the most computer-literate health care professions, pharmacists depend on computers daily in order to document patient profiles, the medications they use and other pertinent sensitive information. They also use their computers for claims processing with a variety of public and private claims adjudicators. The issues about computers related to the Year 2000 are being taken seriously and acted upon both by the Association and by its members.

Brief on Bill C-91 - Aiming for Equity
(Presentation made to the Standing Committee of Industry, April 1997)

Increased reliance on drugs has positively impacted on reduction in hospital stays and consequently drug utilization has also increased. These changes have prompted pharmacists to seek innovative solutions to control drug costs, promote appropriate utilization, work at reducing the negative impact of non-compliance and ensure optimal pharmacotherapy. Programs such as Drug Regimen Reviews, Drug Utilization Reviews and Pharmaceutical Care contribute to improving drug therapy.

For more information, please contact:
Canadian Pharmacists Association
Tel: (613) 523-7877 or 800-917-9489
Fax: (613) 523-0445