What's New
Health Professional and Public Communication
Celexa (citalopram) - Association with abnormal heart rhythms - Lundbeck Canada Inc.
Maximum doses for the antidepressant Celexa (citalopram) have been decreased and the product monograph has been updated accordingly given new cardiac safety data showing an increased risk of QT prolongation and abnormal heart rhythms at high doses.
Health Professional Communication
Public Communication
Health Professional Communication
VELCADE (bortezomib) - Fatal if Given Intrathecally - Janssen Inc.
Janssen Inc., in consultation with Health Canada, would like to alert you to the risk of fatal outcome associated with the inadvertent intrathecal administration of the antineoplastic drug VELCADE® (bortezomib).
Health Professional Communication
Notice to Hospitals
Doribax (doripenem for injection) - Higher Mortality Rate and a Lower Clinical Cure Rate Observed During a Comparative Clinical Trial - Janssen Inc.
The product monograph for Doribax will be updated to reflect findings from a study showing a higher mortality rate and a lower cure rate among patients taking Doribax 1g every 8 hours in a fixed 7-day course as compared to those taking a fixed 10-day course of imipenem-cilastatin.
Notice to Hospitals
Notice to Hospitals
Duet TRS Loading Units (Used with Endo GIA Universal Staplers and Endo GIA Universal Ultra Staplers) - Urgent Medical Device Recall - Contraindication for Thoracic Use - Covidien Canada
Covidien is conducting a voluntary recall of all production lots for the Duet TRS Universal Straight and Articulating Single Use Loading Units (SULU) with respect to the use of this product family in the thoracic cavity. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred due to the failure mode associated with this recall.
Notice to Hospitals
Foreign Products Alert
Health Canada is advising Canadians not to use these eight (8) foreign health products as they may pose a health risk. These products have been found by regulators in other countries to contain prescription, over-the-counter or unauthorized drugs, or heavy metals that are not declared on the product labels. Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
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Health Professional and Public Communication
RASILEZ (aliskiren) and RASILEZ HCT (aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide) - Potential Risks of Cardiovascular and Renal Adverse Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Interim study results indicate that there is an increased risk of non-fatal stroke, renal complications (end stage renal disease and renal death), hyperkalemia and hypotension in diabetic patients treated with aliskiren. The combination of aliskiren with ACE inhibitors and ARBs is now contraindicated in patients with type 2 diabetes. The Product Monograph will be updated accordingly.
Health Professional Communication
Public Communication
NAPRA Position Available - Manager, Professional and Regulatory Affairs
NAPRA is currently seeking a candidate to fill the position of Manager, Professional and Regulatory Affairs. For a complete position description, please visit http://niche.workopolis.com/frontoffice/seekerViewJobDetailAction.do?sitecode=pl501&jobId=1189173&page=search
NDSAC Final Recommendations for NSAIDs available on the Canadian market (excluding ASA and acetaminophen)
UPDATED November 18, 2011
The Initial Recommendations made by the National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC) regarding nonprescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on September 11-12, 2011 are now finalized.
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