Pharmacy Brands Canada to Expand PrescribeIT® Service to Banner Members in Western Canada
EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 26, 2020 /CNW/ - Pharmacy Brands Canada is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) to launch PrescribeIT®, Canada's only national not-for-profit electronic prescribing service. This innovative e-prescribing platform will soon be offered in our mettra Pharmacy, Value Drug Mart, Apple Drugs, Peoples Pharmacy and Rxellence independent community pharmacies across Western Canada.
PrescribeIT® enables physicians and other prescribers to send prescriptions and renewal requests electronically to a patient's preferred pharmacy, resulting in more efficient patient care, enhanced safety, and greater accuracy when filling prescriptions.
In partnership with Infoway and collaboration with provincial ministries, Pharmacy Brands Canada plans to roll out the PrescribeIT® service to independent pharmacy banner locations across Western Canada over the next 12 months.
"We are excited to partner with Infoway to introduce this e-prescription service to our independently owned community pharmacy banner members, their pharmacy teams, patients, allied health partners and communities," said Pauwlina Cyca, Director of Pharmacy Services, Pharmacy Brands Canada. "The PrescribeIT® platform completes the circle of care, and ensures continuity for each patient, every prescription and every pharmacy."
"Infoway is excited about this new partnership with Pharmacy Brands Canada," said Jamie Bruce, Executive Vice President, Infoway. "PrescribeIT® provides safer and more effective medication management and protects patients' personal health information from being sold or used for commercial activities. It's an important step in helping Canadians experience better health outcomes."
PrescribeIT® is a free service offered by health care prescribers and pharmacies. Patients who are interested in using the service may wish to consult with their physician or prescriber.
About Pharmacy Brands Canada
Pharmacy Brands Canada offers a unique banner program to independent pharmacies across Western Canada. We provide a business model that offers tools, resources and support for pharmacy owners to operate successfully within a highly regulated and competitive environment. Pharmacy Brands Canada supports the following banner brands: mettra Pharmacy, Value Drug Mart, Apple Drugs, Rxellence and Peoples Pharmacy. Visit http://pharmacybrandscanada.com/.
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.
Incyte Announces Health Canada Acceptance of the New Drug Submission for Pemigatinib as a Treatment for Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma
MONTREAL, Oct. 26, 2020 /CNW/ - Incyte (Nasdaq: INCY) today announced that Health Canada has accepted its New Drug Submission (NDS) for pemigatinib, a selective fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor, as a treatment for adults with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangement.
The NDS is based on data from the FIGHT-202 study evaluating pemigatinib as a treatment for patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Study results demonstrated that in patients harboring FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements (Cohort A), pemigatinib monotherapy resulted in an overall response rate (ORR) of 36 percent (primary endpoint), and median duration of response (DOR) of 9.1 months (secondary endpoint) with a median follow-up of 21 months. Adverse events observed included Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment (RPED) and hyperphosphatemia. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 20%) are hyperphosphatemia, alopecia, diarrhea, nail toxicity, fatigue, dysgeusia, nausea, constipation, stomatitis, dry eye, dry mouth, decreased appetite, vomiting, arthralgia, abdominal pain, hypophosphatemia, back pain, and dry skin.
"The need for new therapies for patients with cholangiocarcinoma remains urgent, as they have limited treatment options beyond first-line chemotherapy and often face a poor prognosis," said Josée Brisebois, Ph.D., Head of Medical Affairs, Incyte Biosciences Canada. "We intend to work closely with Health Canada as we seek to bring this innovative targeted therapy to patients suffering from this difficult disease as soon as possible." This NDS marks the first marketing application that Incyte Biosciences Canada has made to Health Canada since establishing operations in Canada in April 2020.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer that forms in the bile duct. It is classified based on its anatomical origin: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) occurs in the bile duct inside the liver and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma occurs in the bile duct outside the liver. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma are often diagnosed at a late or advanced stage when the prognosis is poor.1,2 The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma varies regionally and ranges between 0.3-3.4 per 100,000 in North America and Europe.1 FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements occur almost exclusively in iCCA, where they are observed in 10-16% of patients.3-5,1 FGFRs play an important role in tumor cell proliferation and survival, migration and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels). Activating fusions, rearrangements, translocations and gene amplifications in FGFRs are closely correlated with the development of various cancers.
About FIGHT-202
The FIGHT-202 is a multi-center, open-label, single-arm, Phase 2 study (NCT02924376) that evaluated the safety and efficacy of pemigatinib – a selective fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor – in adult (age ≥18 years) patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with documented FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement.
Incyte Announces Health Canada Acceptance of the New Drug Submission for Pemigatinib as a Treatment for Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma
Patients were enrolled into one of three cohorts – Cohort A (FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements), Cohort B (other FGF/FGFR genomic alterations) or Cohort C (no FGF/FGFR genomic alterations). All patients received 13.5 mg pemigatinib orally once daily (QD) on a 21-day cycle (two weeks on/one week off) until radiological disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
The primary endpoint of FIGHT-202 was overall response rate (ORR) in Cohort A, assessed by independent review per RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints include ORR in Cohorts B, A plus B, and C; and duration of response (DOR).
The FIGHT (FIbroblast Growth factor receptor in oncology and Hematology Trials) clinical trial program includes ongoing Phase 2 and 3 studies investigating the safety and efficacy of pemigatinib therapy across several FGFR-driven malignancies. Phase 2 monotherapy studies include FIGHT-202, as well as FIGHT-201 investigating pemigatinib in patients with metastatic or surgically unresectable bladder cancer, including with activating FGFR3 mutations or fusions/rearrangements; FIGHT-203 in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms with activating FGFR1 fusions/rearrangements; FIGHT-207 in patients with previously treated, locally-advanced/metastatic or surgically unresectable solid tumor malignancies harboring activating FGFR mutations or translocations, irrespective of tumor type. FIGHT-205 is a Phase 2 study investigating pemigatinib plus pembrolizumab combination therapy and pemigatinib monotherapy as first-line treatment for metastatic or unresectable bladder cancer harboring FGFR3 mutations or rearrangements who are not eligible to receive cisplatin. FIGHT-302 is a Phase 3 study investigating pemigatinib as a first-line treatment for patients with cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements.
About Pemigatinib
Pemigatinib is a potent, selective, oral inhibitor of FGFR isoforms 1, 2 and 3 which, in preclinical studies, has demonstrated selective pharmacologic activity against cancer cells with FGFR alterations.
The safety and efficacy of pemigatinib is under review and the market authorization in Canada has not yet been obtained.
Pemigatinib is marketed by Incyte in the United States. Incyte has granted Innovent Biologics, Inc. rights to develop and commercialize pemigatinib in hematology and oncology in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Incyte has retained all other rights to develop and commercialize pemigatinib outside of the United States.
About Incyte
Incyte is a Wilmington, Delaware-based, global biopharmaceutical company focused on finding solutions for serious unmet medical needs through the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics. For additional information on Incyte, please visit Incyte.com and follow @Incyte.
Incyte Announces Health Canada Acceptance of the New Drug Submission for Pemigatinib as a Treatment for Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma
Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical information set forth herein, the matters set forth in this press release contain predictions, estimates and other forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding: whether or when pemigatinib might be approved in Canada, for the treatment of, and whether or when pemigatinib might provide a treatment option for, patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements, and the FIGHT clinical trial program. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including unanticipated developments in and risks related to: unanticipated delays; further research and development and the results of clinical trials possibly being unsuccessful or insufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards or warrant continued development; the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in clinical trials; determinations made by the FDA; the Company's dependence on its relationships with its collaboration partners; the efficacy or safety of the Company's products and the products of the Company's collaboration partners; the acceptance of the Company's products and the products of the Company's collaboration partners in the marketplace; market competition; sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution requirements; greater than expected expenses; expenses relating to litigation or strategic activities; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2020. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
References
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Banales JM, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016;13:261‒280.
2.
Uhlig J, et al. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019;26:1993–2000.
3.
Graham RP, et al. Hum Pathol. 2014;45:1630‒1638.
4.
Farshidfar F, et al. Cell Rep. 2017;18(11):2780–2794.
5.
Ross JS et al. The Oncologist. 2014;19:235–242.
SOURCE Incyte Biosciences Canada
BioCanna Announces A Breakthrough In Development of Its Patent-Pending 'BioNano Virus Detection System' And Announcing the COVID-19 POC Test Kit
TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2020 /CNW/ - BioCanna Health Care Inc., a leading innovator in pharmaceutical applications of Cannabinoids, Terpenes and other biomaterials, has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, BioCanna CuraLab, in collaboration with University of Ottawa, has made a breakthrough development in its "BioNano Virus Detection System" by innovative application of cutting -edge nanotechnologies.
The state-of-the-art "BioNano Virus Detection System" can detect virus with superior sensitivity, reliability, convenience, timeliness and at an extremely low cost. The detection is an antigen test that does not require any assistance of healthcare professionals or laboratory facilities. As a result, all virus tests can be conducted easily at home, schools, sport and entertainment venues and remote areas at a substantially reduced cost.
BioCanna continues to enhance the system features and tailor to specific virus detections
COVID 19 POC Saliva Test Paper Strip
BioCanna also announce the tailored application of the BioNano Virus Detection System in detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19, and achieved breakthrough measurable results.
The BioCanna COVID-19 POC KIT, 'ID-COVID-19', directly identifies the SARS-CoV-2 virus by reading the person's saliva sample. A person can self-collect his own saliva sample in anywhere and at any time, and then read the results from the paper stripe within 15 minutes. The entire test process is very simple. The test is ultra-sensitive and with over 95% accuracy rate and at an estimated cost of only CAD$5.00 per test
About BioCanna Healthcare Inc.
BioCanna healthcare Inc. is a leading innovator in the pharmaceutical applications of Cannabinoids, Terpenes and other biomaterials. BioCanna is developing, through vigorous R&D and clinical trials, promising anti-inflammatory and neurological disorder drugs.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information". The Forward-Looking Information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and BioCanna is not obligated to update or revise any Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward Looking-Information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any Forward-Looking Information contained herein.
SOURCE Biocanna Healthcare Inc.
Welcome to the Train It Right Life Podcast with Alicia Bell. Today Alicia sits down to discuss comparison, what the heck is wrong with men and failed productivity with procrastination!
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Whey Protein Isolate is a superior form of protein and better absorbed by the body when compared to concentrates and blends. We utilize a cross flow microfiltration process when manufacturing to further enhance our product quality helping to eliminate any unwanted impurities and excess fats, cholesterols, and lactose; ultimately enhancing absorption and digestion of Pro-HD and giving you the absolute best quality of protein your body needs. This is further enhanced by the inclusion of DigeSEB®, a unique proven and effective digestive enzyme blend that supports optimal breakdown, digestion and absorption of nutrients, ensuring our protein and other food sources you consume with Pro-HD are effectively utilized by your body.
Integrity is at the forefront of everything we do and protein is a staple in all of our diets which is why we have taken the extra steps necessary to ensure Pro-HD mixes well, tastes phenomenal and is of the upmost quality we can put the HD stamp of approval on.
Union Demands Immediate Action After Another Nurse Attacked at Southlake Regional Hospital
Second nurse a victim of workplace violence in past six days
RICHMOND HILL, ON, Oct. 23, 2020 /CNW/ - SEIU Healthcare, a union representing over 60,000 frontline healthcare workers including over 7,500 nurses, is demanding immediate action by Southlake Regional Hospital, including a meeting with key stakeholders, after a registered practical nurse (RPN) was attacked Thursday evening by a patient, just six days after another nurse suffered severe workplace injuries.
The most recent violent attack comes after the hospital was fined $80,000 on Friday, October 16 in connection with a January 2019 incident when a 21-year-old male patient violently assaulted a registered nurse (RN) and a security guard in the emergency department.
SEIU Healthcare is demanding that Southlake CEO Arden Krystal initiates an urgent meeting with the union, frontline staff members, Ontario Minister of Health and local MPP Christine Elliott, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Additions, Michael Tibollo, and representatives from the mental health and addictions sector to create an action plan that will ensure safety for everyone at the hospital. On Monday, October 26 at 3:30 p.m., there will be a rally held in front of Southlake Hospital to demand an end to workplace violence and a meeting to fix a system that is failing to protect people.
What: Rally Against Workplace Violence When: October 26, 2020 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Where: In front of Southlake Regional Hospital, 596 Davis Dr, Newmarket, Ontario
Quotes:
"The most recent fines that Southlake received were a slap on the wrist that didn't line up with the seriousness of these incidents. The continued violence happening at Southlake Regional Hospital is sickening, heartbreaking and alarming, and it is clear that whatever actions they have taken since the horrendous incidents last January have not been enough. We are demanding Southlake hold an emergency meeting with us to ensure the protection of our frontline healthcare workers." – SEIU Healthcare President Sharleen Stewart
"Nurses across Ontario are already putting their lives on the line each day as they fight COVID-19. Violence in the workplace is something nurses should not have to worry about. If Southlake's leadership can't solve the ongoing violence taking place in their hospital, and it's evident at this point they can't, then the government should immediately step in to fix an underfunded system that puts all hospital workers at risk." - SEIU Healthcare Nursing Division President Jackie Walker
SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union's members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. www.seiuhealthcare.ca
SOURCE SEIU Healthcare
Precision NanoSystems Receives $18.2 Million from the Government of Canada to Develop an RNA Vaccine for COVID-19
PNI will use the investment to advance a cost-effective Made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine
PNI offers expertise in self-amplifying mRNA vectors, lipid-based drug delivery systems and nanomedicine manufacturing
PNI will contribute to Canada's ability to secure an effective COVID-19 vaccine and build technologies towards enabling rapid response against future pandemics
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Precision Nanosystems, Inc. (PNI), a global leader in technologies and solutions in genetic medicine, announced today that it has received a commitment of up to $18.2 million in support from the Government of Canada under the Innovation, Science and Economic Development's (ISED) Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. PNI will use the investment to advance a best-in-class COVID-19 mRNA vaccine candidate to clinical trials.
PNI provides over 250 industry and academic partners with solutions for the development of vaccines, gene therapies, and cell therapies, in the areas of infectious diseases, oncology and rare diseases. With this investment from the Government of Canada, PNI's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Andrew Geall, and his team will use their state-of-the-art technology platforms and expertise in self-amplifying mRNA vectors, lipid-based drug delivery systems and nanomedicine manufacturing to develop a cost-effective COVID-19 vaccine.
As part of Canada's efforts to combat COVID-19, the Strategic Innovation Fund is working diligently to support projects led by the private sector for COVID-19 related vaccine and therapy clinical trials to advance Canada's medical countermeasures in the fight against COVID-19. "An effective vaccine will be critical as we work to contain the COVID-19 virus and prevent future infections. Today's contribution will support PNI to advance the development of a mRNA vaccine candidate through pre-clinical studies and clinical trials to help protect Canadians," stated the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Bringing together its proprietary technology platforms, key partnerships and unparalleled expertise in nanomedicines, PNI is excited to be leading the development of a Made-in-Canada COVID vaccine. James Taylor, CEO and co-founder of PNI said "Since its inception PNI has executed on its mission to accelerate the creation of transformative medicines. It is an honour to be supported by the Canadian government in this global fight against COVID-19 and to further build capabilities for rapid response against COVID-19 and future pandemics"
About Precision NanoSystems Inc. (PNI)
PNI is a global leader in ushering in the next wave of genetic medicines in infectious diseases, cancer and rare diseases. We work with the world's leading drug developers to understand disease and create the therapeutics and vaccines that will define the future of medicine. PNI offers proprietary technology platforms and comprehensive expertise to enable researchers to translate disease biology insights into non-viral genetic medicines.
SOURCE Precision Nanosystems
Government of Canada's PMPRB price controls discourage rare disease medicines from coming to Canada
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Canadian rare disease patients are worse off because of new price controls announced today by the federal Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).
"These changes run directly counter to the federal government throne speech commitment to pursue a national rare disease strategy," said Bob McLay, Chair of the Canadian Forum for Rare Disease Innovators (RAREi). "They have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable people in society."
McLay was responding to PMPRB's new pricing regime, which relies on new economic factors that disadvantage treatments designed for small patient populations, who often have life threatening illnesses. New regulated price reductions are uncertain and unsustainable for innovators, who already face myriad challenges bringing new rare disease treatments to Canada.
The new PMPRB guidelines have not lifted the cloud of uncertainty for launching new medicines in Canada for a number of reasons, including:
While the PMPRB has provisionally limited the application of complicated economic factors in the short term, this could change at any time, as the approach hinges on a court challenge of the regulations, which is under appeal.
The economic factors can still be used by PMPRB officials in investigations triggered by any complaint by anyone regarding the price of a medicine.
As well, of particular concern for rare disease therapy developers, the PMPRB will apply a more restrictive use of the economic factors.
"Developing treatments for rare disorders is already an extremely risky and costly endeavour and these price controls create a massive barrier to entry in Canada," notes McLay.
RAREi, along with a long list of stakeholders (including provincial governments and agencies, health care professionals, health researchers and patients), has consistently expressed grave concerns about the impact of these changes on access to needed medicines.
RAREi calls on the federal government to revisit its new price controls and to arrive at a long-term, certain and sustainable approach for price regulation in Canada. There is a way to achieve the government's objectives without undermining a vital and vibrant industry sector that is committed to meeting the needs of rare disease patients in Canada.
About the Canadian Forum for Rare Disease Innovators (RAREi) The Canadian Forum for Rare Disease Innovators (RAREi) is a group of the Canadian operations of global biopharmaceutical companies with a specific focus on researching, developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases. Its members are: Alexion Pharma Canada Corp., Amicus Therapeutics, Inc., Biogen Canada Inc., Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Horizon Therapeutics Canada, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada Inc., Recordati Rare Diseases Canada Inc., Sanofi Genzyme, Sobi Canada Inc., Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc.
RAREi's input on the June 2020 PMPRB Guidelines along with other public consultation submissions can be accessed on its website at www.rarei.ca
SOURCE RAREi
Strategies for the Gym When You're Focusing on Losing Weight
There's one thing gym-goers have in common: they want to get in shape. However, even with this common denominator, not everyone who goes to the gym has the same goal. Some people want to build muscle while others want to focus solely on losing weight.
If you’re focusing on losing weight, you’ve probably heard that you just need to focus on cardio. While hitting the gym for cardio sessions seems like a straightforward solution, it might not be right for everyone. If you've been trying to lose weight but the scale won't budge, here's what you need to do.
Increase Your Incline
If walking or running is your go-to-choice for cardio, increasing your incline may be all you need to jumpstart your weight loss again. As with any type of cardio, your body becomes accustomed to the duration and intensity of your workouts. Even though you think you're burning enough calories, you may not be exerting enough energy to keep the burn going.
To prevent injury, slowly increase the incline in 5-minute intervals. You can even do this on an elliptical or stationary bike. Just make sure to slowly build up your endurance so that you don’t overdo it and hurt yourself.
Shake up Your Routine
Another way to jump start weight loss is by changing up your routine. Oftentimes, people say they aren't seeing the results they want, even when working out five or more times per week.
This again can be attributed to muscle memory. Muscle memory is just what it implies. Even when you break a sweat and feel the burn, your muscles become used to the same type of exercise and you may eventually stop seeing results.
To get things back on track, change up your workouts. For example, swap out your usual 30-minute treadmill session with Zumba or HIIT. You can even slow things down and do Pilates or yoga two or three days a week. It doesn’t really matter what kind of exercise you do. It's about working different muscle groups as you alternate through different workouts.
Start Weight Training
If you’re trying to lose weight, you might be avoiding the weights area at the gym. Afterall, you’re trying to slim down, not bulk up. However, building muscle won’t necessarily cause you to bulk up, and it’s a great way to improve your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories during simple day-to-day activities than fat would. Also, when you do strength training or HIIT, the muscles you worked will continue to burn more calories than usual even after your workout.
This goes to show that even when you’re working on one specific fitness goal, you need to keep your whole body in mind. You may want to work with a fitness trainer when you’re starting out. Fitness training can help you build a more balanced approach to your health and weight loss. This can help you keep the unwanted weight off after you’ve reached your goals.
Circuit Training
Circuit training is another way to lose weight at the gym. In circuit training, you do a series of exercises back-to-back for a set period time. You then take a one to two minute break before beginning the circuit again. You’ll usually repeat this three or four times. The best part of circuit training is that you can do different sets of exercises every time you work out. You can design these sets to target certain muscles.
Losing weight doesn't need to be confusing or boring. The key is developing a weight-loss strategy that is balance, productive, and fun. Work with a fitness trainer on building a workout plan that will help you reach your weight loss goals.
Pan-Canadian initiative to evaluate and scale virtual innovations in youth mental health amidst COVID-19
Frayme to support and fund 8 virtual youth mental health and substance use service innovations across Canada to increase access to care
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 22, 2020 /CNW/ - It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder, however only 1 in 5 children who need mental health services receive them. Virtual mental health services and supports have the potential to rapidly expand access to care for those who need it most.
The Canadian youth mental health and substance use (YMHSU) system has moved rapidly over the past year to develop, accelerate and implement virtual responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to meet the needs of youth and their families. Frayme launched theVirtual Innovations in Care (VIC) Grantprogram to support learning and understanding about the process of implementing effective virtual services. A total of 8 evidence generating and innovative virtual solutions were chosen through an open call to receive funding and partner with Frayme to support the scale up, implementation, and evaluation of these innovations.
Pockets of innovation in virtual service delivery are happening across Canada, however these initiatives are siloed or taking place in isolation. The VIC Grant Program will support the dissemination of key learnings from the development of virtual services more widely so that collective knowledge around effective virtual system development and service implementation is strengthened in the sector. The virtual innovations chosen for VIC funding include:
Atlantic Wellness - Circle of Care Program:At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlantic Wellness worked to develop and implement virtual mental health services to ensure there was very little impact to youth during this crucial time. With funding from VIC, this project will not only continue to provide virtual services, but will also capture data to identify how the change in service delivery is affecting counselling therapists, clients, and their families.
Crossroads Children's Mental Health Centre - Kids Come First:In response to COVID-19, Kids Come First partners are collaborating to deliver virtual mental health groups for children, youth and families, pooling together knowledge and resources to increase access to care. This project will allow for the informed development of virtual mental health groups by drawing upon the emerging, situated learnings of those providing and receiving services.
Foundry - Foundry Virtual Care: Foundry launched drop-in counselling services via chat, voice or video calls in April due to COVID-19, followed by online peer support and workshops. Foundry's team will focus on the experience of youth accessing Foundry's virtual services, including health outcomes, and how shifting to virtual service delivery has impacted both youth and service providers.
Saskatchewan Health Authority - Evaluation of Virtual Care in Youth Mental Health & Addiction Services: Youth Mental Health & Addiction Services provides therapy and outreach services to youth and their families. Due to the pandemic, services are currently being offered virtually. The virtual care evaluation will use surveys and interviews to allow clients to voice the benefits, challenges, and experiences of virtual care so that learnings can be shared out.
Shibogama First Nations Council - Payahtakenemowin Youth Well-Being Program: The Payahtakenemowin ("Peace of Mind") Youth Well-Being Program is a mental wellness program that is developing a virtual service framework for youth living in northern communities in the Shibogama Tribal Council Area in Treaty 9 Territory in Northwestern Ontario. This includes virtual cultural teachings from local Knowledge Keepers, live streamed traditional land-based experiences, and online safe spaces for social interaction with peers. The program also offers online therapy sessions with counsellors, including specialized services in expressive arts therapy.
Stella's Place - Bean Bag Chat (BBC): BBC is a technology that offers text-based mental health support. The platform consists of a mobile app and an operator web portal. The app is available for service users to download for free on their iOS or Android device and allows young adults living in Toronto to engage in secure 1:1 chat sessions with Peer Support workers.
The Students Commission of Canada - New Paths through COVID-19: This project will provide an in-depth look at the wide range of services provided by New Path Child and Youth Services in Simcoe County, Ontario and how it transitioned all of its services except for residential, to telephone and virtual delivery. The research will also look at several other collaborations in Prince Edward County and Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Counties in Ontario, and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Wood's Homes - An Assessment of the Implementation, Provision and Impact of Virtual Services: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual service delivery supplemented the vast majority of in-person services provided by Wood's Homes youth mental health programs. Virtual technology became the primary method of service delivery as of March 20, 2020. This project will assess and evaluate these innovations as they continue to be needed by communities.
To see a full list and summary of the 8 VIC recipients and their respective virtual innovations please click here.
COVID-19 has shifted healthcare in Canada to a place in which in-person services are no longer an option in many jurisdictions and contexts. The Government of Canada launched a new mental health and substance use support portal, Wellness Together Canada, which provides an entire suite of free resources and supports for mental health and substance use issues. The valuable insights through this initiative as well as, the community learnings through the VIC program will help the system better understand the nuances of virtual services. Frayme will work with VIC recipients during the next year to help support knowledge mobilization efforts so that these virtual services can be expanded across jurisdictions and so that more youth and families can access the right care, in the right place at the right time.
QUOTES FRAYME AND SUPPORTING PARTNERS "The youth mental health and substance use system has collectively prioritized virtual care. We are at the precipice of being able to understand how to support youth and their families through technology and if there are ways we can address geographic constraints, accessibility constraints and resource constraints," said Shauna MacEachern, Executive Director, Frayme. "As we design these services we must ensure that we are evaluating and implementing them with feedback from youth and families. Through VIC, Frayme is uniquely positioned to ensure that evaluation not only takes place, but that learnings are mobilized across the country so that effective virtual services can be scaled widely."
"We recognize the importance of mental well-being on a young person's ability to achieve success and their successes directly impact the strength of our workplaces, schools and communities," said Mark Beckles, Senior Director, Youth Strategy and Innovation, RBC. "Through our partnerships with organizations such as Frayme,RBC Future Launch will help address the barriers often faced by young people when trying to access the mental well-being supports and services they need. Effective virtual services will help to remove or lower some of those barriers."
"The Graham Boeckh Foundation is pleased to see that Frayme has prioritized supporting research and evaluation in virtual care," said Elana Ludman, Vice President Youth Mental Health, Graham Boeckh Foundation. "With more and more services being offered in virtual contexts, we need to better understand what impact these services are having on youth and their families. We hope that these grants will further add to the evidence base, help create more integrated models of mental health and substance use care, and share lessons learned with other communities across Canada."
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS Frayme Frayme is a national knowledge mobilization organization designed to advance integrated youth mental health and addiction practices and make a significant impact on youth well-being in Canada. Currently a network of over 400+ partner organizations including youth and family members, clinicians, researchers, policy makers and service providers, Frayme works to ensure collaboration and knowledge sharing among organizations working to transform youth mental health services and systems. Frayme is funded by Health Canada, the Graham Boeckh Foundation and the Networks of Centres of Excellence. It is hosted at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre's Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR).
SOURCE Frayme
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