Okanagan Woman Magazine

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Health Canada Warning re use of Calcitonin (a drug used to treat osteoporosis and Paget's Disease)

Health Canada is informing Canadians that it is assessing the possibility of an increased risk of cancer with long-term use of the drug calcitonin.
Calcitonin is a prescription drug available in Canada as a nasal spray used to treat osteoporosis (loss of calcium in bones) in postmenopausal women. It is also available as a solution for injection used to treat Paget's disease as well as severe hypercalcemia (high blood calcium). Paget's disease is a chronic condition that causes abnormal bone growth, while severe hypercalcemia is a medical emergency that can lead to, for example, kidney failure, heart problems and coma. A list of calcitonin products in Canada is provided below.
Health Canada is aware of Next link will take you to another Web site new recommendations from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to restrict calcitonin use due to evidence suggesting an increased risk of cancer. Specifically, the EMA has recommended that:
  • calcitonin nasal sprays should no longer be prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis
  • injectable calcitonin should be used to treat patients with Paget's disease only when other treatments have not worked or are not appropriate, and treatment should normally be limited to three months
  • injectable calcitonin should only be used only for hypercalcemia caused by cancer.
Health Canada is currently reviewing all available information to determine appropriate action in Canada. No conclusions or recommendations have been made at this time with respect to calcitonin use in Canada. Health Canada will take the EMA's recommendations into consideration as part of its review. New safety information will be communicated to Canadian prescribers and patients as soon as possible, once the review is complete.
No reports of cancer associated with calcitonin use have been reported to Health Canada since the drug was first authorized in Canada nearly 30 years ago, in 1983.
Patients who are taking a calcitonin medicine who have questions should speak to their health care professional before they consider stopping their calcitonin treatment. There are other medications authorized in Canada for the treatment of osteoporosis, Paget's disease and hypercalcemia.

How to report side effects to health products to Health Canada

To report suspected side effects to these or other health products, please contact Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or visit MedEffect Canada for more information on how to report.
Calcitonin products currently available in Canada
Format Product Name Manufacturer Drug Identification Number (DIN)
Nasal SprayMIACALCIN NASAL SPRAY 200 IUNovartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.02240775
Nasal SprayAPO-CALCITONIN NASAL SPRAYApotex Inc.02247585
Nasal SpraySANDOZ-CALCITONIN NSSandoz Canada Inc.02261766
Solution for InjectionAPO-CALCITONIN INJECTABLEApotex Inc.02246058
Solution for InjectionCALCIMAR SOLUTION INJ 200UNIT/MLSanofi-Aventis Canada Inc.01926691
Solution for InjectionCALTINE INJ 100 UNIT/ML (1ML AMP)Ferring Inc.02007134

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Kelowna paddlers to compete at World Outrigger Champions in Calgary, Aug 9-15

  While many locals may be familiar with dragon boat races on Okanagan Lake, many may not be aware that Kelowna is also home to world championship contenders for outrigger canoe racing.

The Outrigger Worlds Sprint Championships, known by the Polynesian word Va’a will be held in Calgary, Alberta, from August 11 to 15, 2012. Team Canada will be well represented by the Kelowna Outrigger Racing Canoe Club that train out of Lakeshore Inn and Rotary Park. Kelowna Outrigger will have a competitor in both the men’s and women’s individual races as well as 3 men on various teams along with a team of six women in the V6 – V stands for Va’a, which is the outrigger canoe used. Outriggers are rudderless canoes, easily recognizable by the supporting arm that extends from one side.  Outrigger canoes trace their history on the Pacific Ocean as far back as 4000 years ago.

“We are extremely honoured to represent our community as well as our country with such a strong contingent from such a small club,” says head coach Leanne Stanley. “Of the 250 paddlers across all age classes on Team Canada, Kelowna will have 11 racers. We’re excited about our prospects. Our Women’s V6 team has only been training together since January and has clocked some competitive times so we look forward to showing that they can be one of the best teams in Canada.”

Kelowna’s coach Leanne Stanley is no stranger to the world competition. In 2010 she paddled as part of a double gold medal team in V6 and also won bronze in the individual sprint. This year, she’s got her sights set higher. Her crew is comprised of the fastest 6 women from all across Canada.

“My crew has been training hard, mostly on our own and together when we can.” adds Stanley. “As a team, we’ll be competing in three different categories including the V12 – that consists of racing in two outrigger hulls lashed together. As an individual, I’ve had to compete in time trials to make it the Worlds and will be competing in the V1 500 metre sprint.”

The World Championships are held every two years and are organized by the International Va’a Federation (IVF). For more information visit www.vaaworldsprints2012.com .

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Toning Shoes a fitness letdown - Skechers to pay $40 million

Consumers spent millions of dollars snatching up toning sneakers as soon as they hit store shelves. Manufacturers of these specially designed shoes claimed the shoes could make workouts more efficient, promote weight loss and strengthen muscles. Many manufacturers released their own toning shoe, which generally featured a "rocker-type" bottom that changed foot stride and stability. Although the public was intrigued, few if any people noticed any changes from wearing the toning shoes. In 2011, Reebok International Ltd. agreed to pay $25 million to settle charges that it made unsupported claims that its "toning shoes" provide extra muscle strength, discovered by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. In May of 2012, the FTC announced that Skechers USA, Inc. would pay $40 million to settle charges that the footwear company made unfounded claims that its Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight and strengthen their buttocks, leg and stomach muscles. The FTC said Skechers falsely claimed that clinical studies backed up the company's assertions about its toning shoes. Individuals who purchased these types of shoes are eligible for a refund under the consumer fraud class-action lawsuit. What's more, toning shoes have been under fire since they arrived on the scene a few years ago. In May 2011, a Consumer Reports article stated that toning shoes had produced more injury reports than any other product in its database. The reported injuries included tendinitis and foot, leg and hip pain.
The more severe reported injuries included broken bones. For those who purchased the Skechers athletic shoes in question, visit
http://www.skecherssettlement.com for more information