After decades of widespread use, effectiveness of drugs for osteoporosis remains uncertain, yet adverse effects are more apparent. Well-designed and large trials over prolonged follow-up periods, measuring clinically relevant outcomes as hip and other disabling fractures, are urgently needed in order to properly understand the harm-benefit ratio of commonly prescribed drugs. Regulatory agencies … [Read more...]

Long after research contradicts common medical practices, patients continue to demand them and physicians continue to deliver. The result is an epidemic of unnecessary and unhelpful treatments. By David Epstein and PROPUBLICA. Published in The Atlantic on February 22, 2017. … [Read more...]

In a commentary published yesterday in Medscape, Dr. John Mandrola argues convincingly that "more than ever we should encourage skepticism and debate among our patients and colleagues. Great scientific results stand on their own" and upholds the view that in 2016 medical debate belongs in the public space, not confined to the flawed peer-reviewed scientific publications. Read more... … [Read more...]

About half of clinical trial results are never published, leaving valuable information unavailable. Every year, thousands of Canadians sign up to participate in clinical trials, offering their bodies to further the development of important medical advances like new drugs or devices. But the results of many of those trials never see the light of day. A new online tool aims to put pressure on … [Read more...]

This Healthcare Policy essay presents what we believe to be a compelling framework for a renewed national strategy for pharmaceutical policy in Canada. Building on published research and international frameworks, they propose that pharmaceutical policies of federal, provincial, and territorial governments be coordinated around a clear, health-focused goal and four inter-related pharmaceutical … [Read more...]