Phzio Canada's MSK360 virtual physiotherapy platform launches to Manulife Group Benefit Members
OTTAWA, ON, April 8, 2021 /CNW/ - Phzio Canada's MSK360 Therapeutic Platform, is now available to Manulife Group Benefits plan members. The platform will offer Manulife's plan members access to physical health services for virtual musculoskeletal prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation services. MSK360 is another great way Manulife plan members can get the right care at the right time – an important component of Manulife's health by design approach (2).
Approximately 1 in 5 employees will experience a musculoskeletal condition annually that impacts their ability to perform in the workplace (1). For Plan Sponsors, employees who are struggling with physical injuries, functional restrictions or limited mobility for example see an increased need for treatment programs, accommodations and time away from work.
Manulife is offering their plan members basic access to MSK360. This includes injury prevention content, early intervention, therapeutic programs and preferred rates for virtual providers, that can be claimed using the plan member's benefits coverage.
Plan sponsors will have the option to upgrade access to MSK360 for their plan members and provide unlimited virtual evaluations and treatments, ergonomics assessments, and physical conditioning plans. With this option, plan sponsors will also gain access to advanced MSK360 metrics for pre-disability MSK patterns, utilization, consumption and member satisfaction.
Plan sponsor MSK360 upgrades are priced at $1 per employee, per month.
Curtis Hollister, COO Phzio Canada "we are privileged to be working with forward thinking teams like those at Manulife. Through our unique approach to early interventions, injury prevention programs and effective therapeutic treatments we are working to keep employees physically prepared for work and life. Historically, employers have invested heavily in supporting mental wellness at work, this partnership is a leap forward for the physical health of employees."
About Phzio, and the MSK360 Therapeutic Platform
Phzio is a leading virtual physiotherapy company which has recently developed the MSK360 platform. Phzio provides advanced virtual tools and reporting systems for physiotherapists to use while assessing and documenting their patient's progress. Phzio's mission is to deliver remarkable content and virtual sessions on physical injury prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation programs for plan sponsors and their plan members with musculoskeletal disorders.
OnPharm-United Network of Independent Pharmacies Enables PrescribeIT® in Record Time
TORONTO, April 8, 2021 /CNW/ - OnPharm-United is pleased to announce that the PrescribeIT® e-prescribing service is now available at 120 of its independent pharmacy locations.
Developed by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), PrescribeIT® enables prescribers to safely and conveniently transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice.
"The uptake of PrescribeIT® within OnPharm-United's network of independent pharmacy owners has been remarkable," said Jamie Bruce, Executive Vice President, Canada Health Infoway. "OnPharm-United Pharmacies now have access to improved communication with prescribers while eliminating the need for faxed prescriptions."
"We are committed to helping independent pharmacy owners thrive in their practice and their business," said Sherif Guorgui, co-CEO and Chief Strategy, Stakeholder and Government Relations Officer, OnPharm-United. "PrescribeIT® supports our goal of delivering innovative services to our members."
In the wake of COVID-19, an increasing number of prescribers have moved to telemedicine and e-prescribing has become a key component of virtual health care.
"OnPharm-United pharmacies partnered with PrescribeIT® in the early days. The solution seamlessly integrates into the pharmacy workflow and works well for the independent business model. We encourage all our 600 pharmacy members to take advantage of this partnership," said Guorgui. "I trust that if PrescribeIT® were rolled out in more pharmacies and medical clinics across Canada, particularly during this public health crisis, it would help to further reduce unnecessary physical contact with paper prescriptions and would certainly be a better option than sending and receiving prescriptions over unsecured email."
About OnPharm-United
OnPharm-United was created in 2018 by a merger between OnPharm (founded in 2010) and United Pharma Group (founded in 2014), bringing together two of the fastest growing networks of independent pharmacies in Canada. The OnPharm-United network includes 600 pharmacies in Ontario. The network also includes pharmacies in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Learn more at http://www.onpharmunited.ca/.
About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Visit www.infoway-inforoute.ca.
About PrescribeIT®
Canada Health Infoway is working with Health Canada, the provinces and territories, and industry stakeholders to develop, operate and maintain the national e-prescribing service known as PrescribeIT®. PrescribeIT® will serve all Canadians, pharmacies and prescribers and provide safer and more effective medication management by enabling prescribers to transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice. PrescribeIT® will protect Canadians' personal health information from being sold or used for commercial activities. Visit www.PrescribeIT.ca.
Media Inquiries:
Barbara McDonald Stakeholders and Media Inquiries OnPharm-United 416.309.2341 Ext. 1001
Karen Schmidt Director, Corporate/Internal Communications Canada Health Infoway 416.886.4967
Inquiries about PrescribeIT®:
Tania Ensor Senior Director, Marketing, Stakeholder Relations and Reputation Management, PrescribeIT® Canada Health Infoway 416.707.6285
SOURCE OnPharm-United
Momentum Accelerates as BC and Infoway Formalize Provincial Prescription Management (e-Prescribing) Discussions
TORONTO, ON and VICTORIA, BC, April 8, 2021 /CNW/ - The British Columbia Ministry of Health (the BC Ministry of Health) and Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement to work together to explore a solution that could allow Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and Pharmacy Management Systems the option of supporting Provincial Prescription Management (e-Prescribing) in the province by connecting to PharmaNet through PrescribeIT®.
Under this Agreement, the BC Ministry of Health and Infoway will work to identify a possible solution that meets BC Ministry of Health conformance requirements and aligns with the provincial enterprise architecture, health sector standards, legislation and information management requirements. This model would provide BC prescribers and pharmacists with an alternative option to direct integration with the PharmaNet system for electronic prescribing.
"We are extremely pleased to be working with BC on this initiative," said Michael Green, President and CEO of Infoway. "We now have agreements in place with all 13 provinces and territories and we will continue to work closely with our provincial and territorial government partners to advance our shared priorities."
About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Visit www.infoway-inforoute.ca.
About PrescribeIT®
Canada Health Infoway is working with Health Canada, the provinces and territories, and industry stakeholders to develop, operate and maintain the national e-prescribing service known as PrescribeIT®. PrescribeIT® will serve all Canadians, pharmacies and prescribers and provide safer and more effective medication management by enabling prescribers to transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice. PrescribeIT® will protect Canadians' personal health information from being sold or used for commercial activities. Visit www.PrescribeIT.ca.
Media Inquiries:
Karen Schmidt Director, Corporate/Internal Communications Canada Health Infoway 416.886.4967 Email Us Follow @Infoway
Inquiries about PrescribeIT®:
Tania Ensor Senior Director, Marketing, Stakeholder Relations and Reputation Management, PrescribeIT® Canada Health Infoway 416.707.6285 Email Us Follow @PrescribeIT_CA
SOURCE Canada Health Infoway
6 Things Men Should Start Doing Now to Get in Shape for Summer Let’s face it: the “Quarantine 15” has a lot of mens’ self-esteem in the toilet right now after a long past year of sheltering in place and social distancing.
Approximately 64% of men said their current state of health or appearance negatively impacts their confidence, according to a recent survey of 1,000 US men ages 30-65 conducted by Vault Health. In addition, 90% said their current state of health or appearance could be improved.
But that doesn’t mean it has to remain that way– especially with a post-Covid return to normal on the horizon as we settle into the beautiful summer months.
Dr. Myles Spar is the Chief Medical Officer for Vault Health, the first men’s telehealth startup to offer direct-to-consumer prescription treatments such as testosterone replacement therapy to optimize their physical, sexual, and cognitive health.
He has some sage tips for shedding unwanted belly fat, gaining lean body mass, and getting in shape for what will hopefully be one of the best summers ever.
Diversify Your Workout. Incorporating different training styles into your routine can help you achieve better results while avoiding the boredom that comes with a stale and repetitive workout plan. This means changing-up your workouts with activities like HIIT training, cycling, lifting, hiking, or yoga. Whatever workouts you enjoy, make a plan to rotate between four specific types of activity throughout the week: cardio, core, flexibility, and resistance.
Incorporate Cardiovascular Exercise. Studies show that combining cardio and strength training, sometimes called cardiovascular exercise, into your regimen has proven not only to have the best effect on cardiovascular and overall health but to be one of the best techniques for fat loss.
Listen to Your Body. Not every day is for breaking records. Your stress, sleep, diet, and emotional health can affect your workout readiness for the day. If you wake up feeling tired or drained, pay attention to those signals. If you haven’t had a rest day in the past week, consider taking the day off from strenuous activity. Otherwise, you can try jumping into your regular workout routine—but if you’re not feeling re-energized within 10 minutes of the workout, there’s a good chance your body needs to take it easy. Wearables can also offer important metrics when it comes to registering your body’s recovery and readability.
Prioritize Nutrition. Though exercise is key, supporting your workouts with a healthy and balanced diet will enable you to achieve better—and longer-lasting results. Whether you’re already a healthy eater or starting from scratch, now is a great time to refocus on your nutrition. First, establish your goals. Is your top priority to build muscle mass? Then you’ll need to ensure that you’re consuming adequate calories and plenty of healthy protein. If your top goal is losing body fat, you may want to experiment with intermittent fasting or reducing simple carbs and sugar from your diet.
Celebrate Small Wins. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your body is no different. Losing fat and building muscle mass will take time, determination, and follow-through. It’s not uncommon for people to get discouraged when they don’t see immediate results, but just remember that it usually takes much longer to get your body back into shape than It does to fall off the bandwagon and get out of shape. The key is to celebrate the small wins like completing your first full week of training, losing 5 pounds, gaining a half-inch of muscle, and so on.
Boost Your Results. If you’re hoping to burn fat and obtain lean body mass, Vault Health has two customizable performance-based personalized plans just for these purposes. The Body Kit relies on the power of peptides, which are naturally-occurring chemicals that can boost key hormones inside the body and, in turn, burn through fat while making it easier to pack on muscle. It can also improve things such as sleep, mood, energy, and endurance. In addition, Vault also has the popular Vitamin B12-MIC Fat Burner Kit. By increasing metabolic rate, Vitamin B12-MIC can help burn through fat while regulating sleep, mood, and appetite. The MIC stands for Methionine-Inositol-Choline, and it’s a combination of nutrients that can boost liver function, lower cholesterol, help with allergies, regulate appetite, and rid the body of toxins, amongst other things.
But with all this exercise, don’t forget to rest. Remember it is possible to overdo it when it comes to exercise, and working out too hard may actually decrease testosterone. So don’t skip those rest days!
New RestoraFIBRE® Daily Gummies offers convenient source of fibre
RestoraFIBRE Daily Gummies contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre which helps support a healthy digestive system and promote regularity
TORONTO, April 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Bayer Inc. is excited to announce that Canadians now have a convenient new everyday source of fibre to help support and maintain a healthy digestive system. RestoraFIBRE Daily Gummies helps provide Canadians with the supplemental fibre they may need — in a great-tasting, chewable gummy form.
RestoraFIBRE Daily Gummies contain inulin, which is both a soluble fibre and a prebiotic that helps encourage growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. When fed well, these bacteria (such as bifidobacteria) help to maintain a healthy gut and support a healthy digestive system. The importance of prebiotics and fibre in the diet has been noted and most Canadians are only getting about half of their required fibre intake.1
"RestoraFIBRE Daily Gummies grows our family of RestoraLAX constipation products," says Gerry Cruz, Brand Manager Digestive Health, Bayer.
Two RestoraFIBRE Daily Gummies taken twice a day provides 8 grams of soluble, naturally sourced fibre to help support regularity and can help adults meet their daily fibre requirements. The gummies also help provide gentle relief of constipation and irregularity.
RestoraFIBRE Gummies offer six great-tasting fruit flavours per bottle in either 30-count or 90-count bottles. Learn more at www.restorafibre.ca
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of 43.5 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.9 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.ca.
To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label. RestoraFIBRE serves as a supplement to help fill fibre gaps when diet is not enough.
SOURCE Bayer Inc.
Sun Life to donate additional $1 million toward global COVID-19 relief efforts
In line with World Health Day, the donation will address health inequities, to build a fairer, healthier world for everyone
TORONTO, April 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Today marks World Health Day. As the pressures of the pandemic continue, this year's theme – to build a fairer, healthier world for everyone – takes on new meaning. In response, Sun Life is announcing an additional $1 million to help ongoing global COVID-19 relief efforts and address health inequities.
This support is in addition to Sun Life's $1 million donation announced in March 2020. Those funds focused on health care, elder care and addressing food insecurity needs in markets where Sun Life operates: Asia, Canada and the United States.
"Sun Life remains focused on assisting our communities, particularly those most impacted by the pandemic," said Kevin Strain, President, Sun Life. "COVID-19 has deepened inequities around the world, and our donation directly supports organizations helping those who need it the most. We believe supporting the needs and well-being of the most vulnerable is key to a healthy and sustainable future for our communities."
Helping Canadians live healthier lives - support for COVID-19
In Canada, a portion of the donation will go toward supporting public health units. This funding will assist with the vaccine rollout in various communities, with an emphasis on seniors and clinics supporting Indigenous populations. The remainder will help organizations address the mental health and food insecurity crisis.
Sun Life has taken actionable steps over the past year to promote the safety and well-being of Clients, employees, advisors and our communities. These include offering relevant and timely COVID-19 resources, many of which are available on Lumino Health, Canada's largest, free digital health network. Sun Life helped Clients with credit counselling and debt management support through a partnership with the Credit Counselling Society, a non-profit firm. And, Sun Life donated more than $13.7 million to community organizations globally in 2020, including donating more than $4.5 million towards diabetes awareness, prevention and care, increasing our overall total to $38 million since 2012.
As outlined in Sun Life's 2020 Sustainability Report, actions in support of COVID-19 relief efforts directly align with our Sustainability Plan and purpose.
About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2020, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1,247 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.
Teva Canada Amplifies Commitment to Canadian Caregivers - Introduces new resources to support and improve mental health of Caregivers
April 6, 2021 – National Caregiver Day Event – TODAY AT 12:00 PM EDT
Free Live Virtual Class at 12:00 PM EDT today for caregivers focuses on importance of being resilient and how to access it from within; register via Eventbrite at: TevaCanada.com
New Life Effects Website supports patients with chronic conditions and their caregivers with powerful stories and content written by people with chronic health conditions offering "real-life" perspective;
30-Day Unlimited Trial of NEW Huddol Journeys App provides personal guidance from the world's best wellness experts in a variety of topics relevant to caregiving.
TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Extending its ongoing commitment to caregivers through the Caregiver-Friendly Pharmacy (CFP) program, and recognizing the significant toll COVID-19 has had on the caregiver community over the past year, Teva Canada today unveiled new resources and programming to support the mental health challenges caregivers often experience.
Teva Canada today unveiled new resources and programming to support the mental health challenges caregivers often experience.
Introduced on National Caregiver Day, these added resources support and acknowledge the important role that Canada's eight million caregivers play in providing unpaid care to a family member or friend with a physical, cognitive or mental health condition.
"A year into the pandemic, continued uncertainty and isolation have disrupted all our normal routines and made caregivers particularly vulnerable to mental health issues as they take on more responsibilities to keep loved ones safe. The need to provide tools and resources to help caregivers cope has never been greater," says Teva Canada General Manager, Christine Poulin. "Faced with their own stresses as front-line workers, pharmacists continue to be a vital connection to caregivers, identifying and helping those who are overwhelmed and struggling. With the addition of new tools through the Caregiver-Friendly Pharmacy Program, pharmacists will be able to help caregivers cope better with the challenges of caring for those with chronic conditions and leverage their own resilience."
Recent Teva research1 indicates 43 per cent of the global population identify themselves as caregivers, yet one-in-four (24 per cent) do not have enough support to properly care for the individual they care for. A further 22 per cent of respondents say they have altered their daily routine as a result of becoming a caregiver and 32 per cent say caring has taken a large emotional toll on them. A Statistics Canada report released in November 2020, also indicated that senior caregivers reported a number of unmet caregiving needs with 33 per cent indicating they would like information and advice and 29 per cent requiring help from a medical professional.2
Building Resiliency with Life Coach Robert Pardi
On National Caregiver Day, Teva Canada is pleased to be partnering with Huddol (Canada's largest online caregiver support network that connects caregivers with peer and expert guidance) on a live virtual class – today at 12:00 PM EDT – with Journeys Mentor and former caregiver Robert Pardi as he conducts an introduction to the Moving Positively Through Change: Resilience Awakens 7-day Journey experience. Registration for the live class is free and available through Eventbrite at: TevaCanada.com
Pardi, a former investment banker and caregiver for 11 years to his wife who passed from breast cancer in 2009, chose to embrace change and transformed his life path to become a Life Coach to caregivers. Today he shares his philosophy on leveraging resilience and how to confront life challenges to use life instead of being used by life to empower other caregivers.
"Resilience is a skill that lies dormant in many of us, but one that we all have," he says. "Beneath it is the ability to confront change and adapt to it in a positive way. This is especially important for caregivers to be able to broaden their perspective about their situation and see the opportunity in caregiving and not necessarily the loss or changes in their loved one or circumstances."
Get 30 Days of Unlimited Access Free
Starting in the month of April, Teva Canada is offering free 30-day unlimited access to Huddol's NEW Journeys Appfeaturing Pardi's guided 7-day Journey, Moving Positively Through Change: Resilience Awakens. Each half-hour Journey session helps participants navigate the feelings and internal conflicts of being a caregiver and provides the tools and information to help them better relate to their new realities and find greater meaning and purpose in their life.
"The pandemic has reminded us that life is fragile, particularly when we are holding a life in our hands and caring for a family member or friend who is vulnerable. What we are creating through Huddol Journeys is a digital space that empowers caregivers to thrive in adversity – a prescription for human transformation," said Huddol CEO Mark Stolow.
To access the Teva Canada sponsored free 30-day trial of the Huddol Journeys App and the Moving Positively Through Change: Resilience Awakens Journey, visit: journeys.huddol.com/teva-cares
Life Effects - The Most Powerful Words of All
Teva Canada's NEW Life Effects website provides resources written by real people navigating life with one or more chronic conditions. Their shared stories offer information, insight, and inspiration about the lived experience. This advice is especially meaningful and inspiring to patients and their caregivers, recognizing that words from someone who's been there are the most powerful of all.
With personal insights and guidance from over 35 contributors living with a chronic condition, people can explore a mix of articles, videos, and podcasts on a variety of conditions including anxiety; asthma; cancer; cardiovascular disease; caregiving; COPD; depression; migraine and MS. The stories are vetted by medical experts prior to publishing and provide unique perspectives from patients around the world with new stories published monthly.
"There is such value and shared sense of empathy to be able to tap into real life stories – whether it be for comfort and understanding or advice and practical tips for living with the condition," says Lori Mann, Associate Director, Marketing Communications for Teva Canada. "Life Effects gives patients and their caregivers a sense of community and comfort as they relate to, and learn from, the experiences of people who have actually been there."
The content on Life Effects is non-promotional and avoids mention of treatment or classes of treatment. Stories are vetted by medical experts prior to publishing and provide the personal perspectives of patients and caregivers from around the world. With the launch in Canada, Life Effects content is now available in 12 markets (in 11 different languages). Though some details may not be relevant to the Canadian healthcare system, the contributors' lived experiences, feelings and perspectives are relevant and universal no matter where a person lives.
Watch the inspirational Notes of Hope video – Reminding us of the power of shared experience: TevaCanada.com
About the Teva Canada Caregiver-Friendly Pharmacy
In 2019 Teva Canada launched the Caregiver Friendly Pharmacy (CFP) program – a national program that supports caregivers with online tools and resources and empowers pharmacists to identify and engage with caregivers.
The CFP includes:
Accredited training for pharmacy teams (over 2,500 pharmacists have completed the continuing education);
Downloadable Online Caregiver resources used by over a quarter of a million Canadians including:
Additional resources include emotive videos of caregiver stories and a cancer podcast series on living with cancer.
All of Teva Canada's downloadable resources for caregivers can be found at: TevaCanada.com/Caregivers
About Teva Canada
Teva Canada, headquartered in Toronto, has provided affordable healthcare solutions to Canadians for over 50 years, building their trust one prescription at a time with now more than 192,0003 prescriptions filled each day with our products, representing 1 of every 8 generic prescriptions in Canada4. Originally Novopharm Limited, Teva Canada specializes in the development, production, and marketing of high-quality generic prescription pharmaceuticals and, through our branded division, focuses on a diverse line of speciality and biopharmaceutical products in a variety of therapeutic areas such as central nervous system (CNS), respiratory, oncology and rheumatology. Teva Canada's commitment to helping improve the lives of Canadians also extends to the Teva Caregiver program – providing tools and resources for Canadians navigating the care journey. Teva Canada employs more than 900 professionals, had sales of nearly $1.1 billion5 in 2020, and markets more than 3606 products in over 840 SKUs4 in Canada. We are a proud subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Learn more at www.tevacanada.com.
About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve people's lives for more than a century. We are a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 3,500 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com.
HealthPRO Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with National Art Contest Honouring Healthcare Heroes
The Winning Artist Will Have the Opportunity to Direct a $25,000 Monetary Donation to the Healthcare Facility of Their Choice
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - This year, HealthPRO is celebrating its 25-year anniversary as Canada's group contracting provider for healthcare.
HealthPRO Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with the #FacesofCanadianHealthcare Art Contest Honouring Healthcare Heroes
"We're incredibly proud of the work our team has delivered over the last 25 years, and we look forward to taking on the next set of challenges the sector presents to us," said Renato Discenza, President and CEO, HealthPRO. "As we reflect on this tremendous milestone, know that we remain committed to helping our members by continuing to invest in our two main strengths: Knowledge and Trust."
Since 1996, HealthPRO has strategically leveraged the buying power and market influence of its members – which now number more than 1,300 healthcare facilities – to reduce the cost of high-quality products and services while helping maintain assurance of supply. As of 2021, the company has returned more than $740 million to the Canadian healthcare system in the form of patronage dividends.
"In thinking of an appropriate way to commemorate our anniversary, we felt there was no better, or timely approach than honouring the work of Canada's healthcare heroes," said Discenza. "That's why we're launching our #FacesofCanadianHealthcare art contest; we want to celebrate the tireless efforts of Canada's dedicated healthcare professionals who make an incredible difference in the lives of patients and their families."
As part of the contest, artists from across Canada, professional or amateur, are invited to commemorate the vital work of Canada's healthcare professionals: nurses, doctors, pharmacists, administrators, custodians, procurement professionals and beyond. Eligible entry mediums include photography, painting, drawing, and digital art.
The winning artist will have the opportunity to direct a $25,000 monetary donation to a publicly funded Canadian healthcare organization of their choice, to help make a different in their local community. Additionally, the top three finalists will each personally receive a cash prize.
Additional information, including the contest's rules, regulations, and submission deadlines, can be found at www.facesofcanadianhealthcare.com.
About HealthPRO
HealthPRO is Canada's group contracting provider for healthcare. We put decades of knowledge and the purchasing volumes of more than 1,300-member healthcare facilities across Canada to work. Our members count on us to reduce the cost of products and services they use, improve patient safety, help maintain assurance of supply and pursue new ideas and innovations. The outcome is unprecedented buying power and market influence for Canadian healthcare facilities. For more information, please visit www.healthprocanada.com.
SOURCE HealthPRO Procurement Services Inc.
National Caregiver Day: New Study Shows COVID-19 Increasing Demands on Canadian Caregivers
Carers Canada launches a national campaign to showcase Canadian's experiences in caregiving and organizations that provide essential supports from coast to coast
TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, on National Caregiver Day, we recognize the eight million Canadians who are caring for their family and friends. Bringing awareness to the crucial role caregivers' play, while shedding light on their unique challenges and unmet needs. This year, supporting Canadian caregivers is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional pressures, negatively jeopardizing their physical, emotional and financial health.
A new study released by EMD Serono as part of their Embracing Carers™ Initiative, called The Carer Well-Being Indexexplores the impact of COVID-19 on the unpaid caregiver community in Canada. The index reveals some alarming trends affecting Canadian caregivers including rising demands, increased responsibilities, inequities and an overall toll on their health and well-being.
"At EMD Serono, we understand the crucial role caregivers play in our healthcare system and to the patients we serve," said Manuel Zafra, Managing Director, EMD Serono Canada. "The aim of this study, and the global Embracing Carers Initiative, is to identify challenges and work with key partners to identify and action solutions for this community."
Overall, the study showed that COVID-19 has increased demands and pressures on unpaid caregivers, causing unprecedented burnout (70%), with a 12 per cent growth in those taking on caregiver duties and the average time Canadians spend caregiving increasing by 4.8 hours a week.
Canadian Carers are Feeling More Burnt Out than Ever
71% of respondents said they are feeling more burnt out than ever, with 70% indicating worsening mental/emotional health, 55% with worsening financial health and 51% indicating worsening physical health
Canadian carers have taken on greater responsibilities surrounding emotional support, managing technology, homecare, and advocating for their loved one, with a 42% increase in homecare responsibilities due to the pandemic
64% of caregivers in Canada say that their primary responsibility is to manage doctors' appointments
Female Carers Disproportionately Affected
Female carers and those caring for someone with an ongoing cognitive condition are facing unprecedented challenges
61% of Canadian carers surveyed identified as female with 71% saying that being a carer negatively impacts their emotional/mental health
Two-thirds (65%) of female respondents say that being a carer has had a negative impact on their financial health (vs. 56% average Canadian carer)
"This study shows that the pandemic has placed added demands and strain, which is taking a toll on their health and well-being," said Nadine Henningsen, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Home Care and Carers Canada. "Our experiences from COVID-19 have shown that governments must expand capacity in home-based long-term care services and access to primary health care so that caregivers receive the supports they need from our healthcare system."
To help address these challenges, Carers Canada launched a national campaign called "Experiences in Caregiving" to showcase Canadians' experiences in caregiving, the impact of COVID-19 has had on caregivers, and organizations that provide essential supports to caregivers. More than 25 caregivers across Canada will be sharing what they think, how they feel and what they do during their caregiving journeys. For more information and join in the national conversation, please visit carerscanada.ca.
*Part of EMD Serono's global Embracing Carers Initiative, the Carer Well-Being Index surveyed 9,044 caregivers across 12 countries, including 755 unpaid carers in Canada. The Embracing Carers Initiative was created to recognize and raise awareness of the crucial role of informal carers and develop solutions collaboratively with global carer organizations.
About EMD Serono, Canada EMD Serono, Canada, is the Canadian biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. EMD Serono, Canada has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and devices, and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono, Canada has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in neurology, oncology, immunology and immuno-oncology. Today, EMD Serono, Canada has more than 100 employees across Canada with headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario.
About Embracing Carers™ Embracing Carers™ is a global initiative led by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operating as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore, and EMD Performance Materials in the United States and Canada. It is a collaboration with leading caregiver organizations around the world designed to increase awareness, discussion, and action about the often-overlooked needs of caregivers. Given that caregivers need support and often do not know where to turn for help, Embracing Carers™ was created to fill that void.
About Carers Canada Carers Canada is a national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers. Through collaborative engagement, members work to build awareness and recognition of the role of caregivers and the challenges they face. Carers Canada is a priority program of the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA). www.carerscanada.ca.
About National Caregiver Day The first Tuesday of April has been unanimously adopted by the Members of Parliament of Canada to recognize the importance of the 'invisible' unpaid work. Interchangeably known as National Caregiver Day, this day marks the beginning of our formal recognition of caregivers and the valuable contribution they make to care recipients, our communities and our economy.
SOURCE EMD Serono, Canada
No Graphene In Our Masks
LONGUEUIL, QC, April 6, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - You may already be aware that Health Canada has issued a recall on disposable masks containing a material made of tiny particles called graphene. The agency is advising people not to wear masks with graphene or biomass graphene because its preliminary assessment of the available research suggests the particles cause early lung toxicity in animals, though the risks to humans are not yet known.
As a manufacturer, it is our duty to inform and reassure you that all our masks are made with safe materials and therefore do notcontain graphene.
About Supermax Healthcare Canada
Founded in 2004, Supermax Healthcare Canada is a division of the Supermax Group based in Berhad, Malaysia. Supermax Corp in the second biggest disposable glove manufacturer worldwide. Supermax's brand is a synonym of quality.
SOURCE Supermax Healthcare Canada Inc.
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