Get “Screen Overloaded” Kids Outside – with the Help of TurfMutt!
Alexandria, Va. - School is back in session for students around the country – and many kids, if attending school from home, are spending lots of time online and in front of screens.
Mutt Mulligan (“Mo-Mo”), a rescue dog who is “pawing it forward,” reminds us that enjoying time in the parks and yards nearby is good for us and for the planet. As the official spokesdog of the TurfMutt Foundation, Mo-Mo knows a thing or two about yards – and the boundless energy that many children need to expend outdoors.
Right now the safest place to spend time may be your personal green space – your yard. It can help your children de-stress, widen their play area, and build up knowledge in science and math. Mutt Mulligan offers tips to help make the most of your yard as an outdoor classroom.
Tip #1: Get outside throughout the day. Take a 20-minute break between classes at home, head out to the backyard and breathe some fresh air. During a lunch break, take a quick visit to the park. After spending a long day indoors, encourage children to get outside to enjoy the family yard.
Tip #2: Notice the different kinds of plants in your yard. Take kids around the outside of your home. Encourage them to take notes and sketch what they see. How is the landscape changing this time of year? What animals or birds might be nesting in or feeding on plants in the yard as the season progresses? What makes your yard unique from the others in the area? Draw the living (plants, trees, grass) and the non-living (patios, grills) parts of your landscape.
Tip #3: Learn about the world beneath little feet. Explain that one of the benefits of plant-filled green spaces is that they provide habitats, or natural homes, for many different creatures. Look for birds, bees and other creatures that have made both urban and suburban neighborhoods their home. Use a magnifying glass to help your child explore what lives in the grass or is resting on shrubs and trees.
Tip #4: Map out the living landscapes in your neighborhood. Go on a living landscape hunt. Walk around your neighborhood with your child and sketch the living landscapes, creating a map with symbols for trees, bushes, flowers and grass. You can also add markers for animal or insect habitats, or water sources.
Tip #5: Make a nature journal. Get some paper or a notebook and keep a record of when your family is outside and what you do when you are there. It can be as simple as jotting down the date and the activity you did outside, or as detailed as adding sketches of plants or animals observed, and more. Review the journal at dinnertime or weekly to see how much time you spent outside.
Tip #6: Put the right plant in the right place. If you’ve decided to add some new plants to your yard as a family activity, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find out what plants are best for where you live. Use a mix of native and adaptive plants and place them where they will thrive – a teachable moment for children!
Tip #7: Visit TurfMutt.com to play games and read digital storybooks for free to learn more. The website for the TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program for grades K-8 offers home-based activities, digital storybooks, lesson plans for families and teachers, and more.
About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt is an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017-2019 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.
Health Canada Grants Market Authorization to Polivy™ (polatuzumab vedotin) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma[i]
First-in-class antibody-drug conjugate that specifically targets CD79b and destroys B cells through the delivery of an anti-cancer agent ii,iii
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) is pleased to announce that on July 9, 2020, Health Canada, under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) policy, has granted market authorization to Polivy™(polatuzumab vedotin), in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant and have received at least one prior therapy.i
DLBCL is an aggressive and fast-growing form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). While it is generally responsive to treatment in the frontline, as many as 40 per cent of patients do not respond to initial treatment or relapse, at which time therapy options are limited and survival is short.iv
Health Canada's Notice of Compliance with Conditions policy provides conditional authorization for new drugs with promising evidence of clinical effectiveness, for patients suffering from serious, life- threatening or severely debilitating diseases or conditions for which no drug is presently marketed in Canada or for which a significant increase in efficacy or a significant decrease in risk is demonstrated in relation to an existing drug marketed in Canada.v Prior to authorization, the sponsor must undertake to design, carry out and report on confirmatory trials to verify the clinical benefit of the drug.v
"Despite the significant advances made over the last few years in the treatment of lymphoma, people with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, particularly those who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation, continue to have limited options," said Dr. Laurie Sehn, Chair, Lymphoma Tumour Group, BC Cancer Agency, and a clinical investigator on the GO29365 study. "I am pleased a much needed new and effective option is available in Canada to combat this aggressive form of lymphoid cancer."
This new authorization is based on the results from the phase I/II GO29365 study, an international, multicenter, open-label, Phase Ib/II trial.i Results showed that 40 per cent of people treated with Polivy plus BR achieved a complete or partial response, meaning no cancer could be detected at the time of assessment (n=16/40; 95% CI: 25-57), compared to 18 per cent with BR alone (n=7/40; 95% CI: 7-33).viThe study also showed the median duration of responsiveness to treatment was 12.6 months for patients in the Polivy plus BR arm (n=12/25) versus 7.7 months for patients in the BR arm (n=2/10).vi
"Many DLBCL patients who have relapsed following first line or subsequent lines of therapy are ineligible for stem cell transplant, and there is a need for new treatment options for this patient group," said Kaitlyn Beyfuss-Laski, Manager of Patient Programs, Research and Advocacy at Lymphoma Canada. "The combination of polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy) with bendamustine and rituximab provides a new tool for this group of patients. We are so pleased that new treatment options are available to relapsed DLBCL patients in Canada."
About the GO29365 study
GO29365 is an international, multicenter, open-label, Phase Ib/II trial which included a randomized cohort of 80 patients, including four Canadians with previously treated DLBCL. Eligible patients were not candidates for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) at study entry, had relapsed or refractory disease after receiving at least one prior systemic chemotherapy regimen, and had an ECOG PS ≤2. In this study, patients were randomized to receive Polivy plus BR (n=40) or BR alone (n=40) for six 21-day cycles. The median age was 69 years (range 30 to 86 years) and 71 per cent of patients were white and 66 per cent were male. The primary endpoint of the study was complete response (CR) rate at end of treatment (6 to 8 weeks after day 1 of cycle 6 or last study treatment) as assessed by independent review committee (IRC). Efficacy was based on the primary endpoint, complete response (CR) rate at the end of treatment as assessed by IRC. Key supportive efficacy endpoints were objective response rate at the end of treatment and best overall response rate. Duration of response was also assessed in the study.i
The most frequently-reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with DLBCL treated with Polivy in combination with BR were anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, decreased appetite, neuropathy peripheral, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and pyrexia. Serious adverse events were reported in 64.4 per cent of Polivy plus BR treated patients which included febrile neutropenia (11.1%), pyrexia (8.9%), pneumonia (8.9%), anemia (4.4%), duodenal ulcer hemorrhage (4.4%), sepsis (4.4%), and thrombocytopenia (4.4%).i
About Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin)
Polivy is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that combines the targeting ability of antibodies with chemotherapies to destroy cancer cells.ii,iii It specifically targets CD79b, a protein expressed in the majority of B cells and destroys the B cells through the delivery of an anti-cancer agent, while minimizing the effects on normal cells.ii,iii,vii Polivy offers a fixed-duration of treatment of six cycles through IV infusion, with each cycle lasting 21 days.i
About diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
DLBCL is the most common form of NHL that develops when the body makes abnormal B cells.viii It accounts for up to 30 to 40 percent of cases of NHL in Canada each year, with an estimated 150,000 diagnosed worldwide each year.ix,x It can occur at any age, however most people are diagnosed when they are in their mid-60s.viiiIt is also slightly more common in men than in women.viii Despite meaningful progress in the treatment of DLBCL, treatment options are very limited when the disease is refractory to or recurrent after multiple regimens.xi This makes DLBCL increasingly harder to treat after each relapse, resulting in poor prognosis with median overall survival of around six months.xi
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof, combined with a focus on innovation, have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare – a strategy that aims to provide patients with timely access to their best possible healthcare solution.
Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1931, Roche Canada is committed to searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases while making a sustainable contribution to society. The company employs more than 1,200 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario and Diagnostics, as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.
Roche aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities through its charitable giving and partnerships with organizations and healthcare institutions that work together to improve the quality of life of Canadians. For more information, please visit www.RocheCanada.com.
All trade-marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
i Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin) Canadian Product Monograph July 2020.
ii Dornan D, et al. Therapeutic potential of an anti-CD79b antibody-drug conjugate, anti-CD79b-vc-MMAE, for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Blood 2009; 114:2721–2729.
iii Pfeifer M, et al. Anti-CD22 and anti-CD79B antibody drug conjugates are active in different molecular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtypes. Leukemia 2015; 29:1578-1586.
x GLOBOCAN 2018. Estimated cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence worldwide in 2018. Available from: http://globocan.iarc.fr. Accessed May 2020.
xi Gisselbrecht C, Van Den Neste E. How I manage patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Br J Haematol. 2018;182:633–643.
SOURCE Roche Canada
NEXPLANON® Contraceptive Arm Implant Now Available for Use in Canada
NEXPLANON® is the first single-rod arm implant to be approved by Health Canada for the prevention of pregnancy.1
The implant provides Canadians with a new birth control option that can be removed at any point during the three-year period by a healthcare professional.1
KIRKLAND, QC, Sept. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - Merck Canada Inc., an affiliate of Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that NEXPLANON® (etonogestrel implant) 68 mg, a hormonal contraceptive implant, is now available in Canada.1 The implant, approved by Health Canada for the prevention of pregnancy for up to three years, provides Canadians with a progestin-only contraceptive option that is long-acting.1
"Health Canada's approval of NEXPLANON® is an important contribution to the Canadian contraceptive landscape," says Dr. Ashley Waddington, Family Planning specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen's University. "Access to this reversible contraceptive method is good news for those who cannot take contraceptives containing estrogen due to medical conditions or patient preference, or for whom intrauterine devices are contraindicated or not desired. More contraceptive options allow for more patient choice and ensures Canadians can achieve their family planning goals."
The arm implant contains etonogestrel, a hormone that is continuously released in small amounts into the blood.1 It prevents pregnancy in two ways: by stopping the release of egg cells from the ovaries and by causing changes in the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.1
"Merck Canada is excited to provide a new birth control option," says AnnA Van Acker, President, Merck Canada. "This arm implant is an example of Merck's commitment to offer a range of birth control options in our growing Women's Health portfolio."
Approximately the size of a matchstick, the implant is a small, soft and flexible plastic rod that is inserted by a healthcare professional just below the skin on the inner side of a patient's upper arm.1 When inserted correctly, NEXPLANON was shown to be effective, with less than one pregnancy per 100 patients who used the birth control implant for one year.1
About NEXPLANON®
NEXPLANON is approved for pregnancy prevention for up to three years.1 By the end of the third year, the implant must be removed and may be replaced with a new implant, if continued contraceptive protection is desired.1 It will not protect patients against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.1 To prevent STIs, patients should use latex or polyurethane condoms while using the implant.1
The arm implant is radiopaque, meaning physicians can verify presence of the implant after insertion and can locate it prior to removal using two-dimensional X-ray, computed tomography (CT scan) and ultrasound scanning (USS), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).1 After insertion and prior to removal, physicians should be able to verify the presence of the implant in the patient's arm by palpation.1 If the implant cannot be palpated, the physician can use one of the four available methods to verify presence of the implant.1 Until the presence of the implant can be verified, patients should be advised to use a non-hormonal contraceptive method, such as condoms.1
The approval of the implant is based on results from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group bioequivalence study comparing the radiopaque implant to the non-radiopaque etonogestrel subdermal implant (IMPLANON®).1NEXPLANON and the non-radiopaque etonogestrel subdermal implant met comparative bioavailability standards with respect to rate and extent of absorption of etonogestrel.1 The safety and efficacy of the non-radiopaque implant as a birth control option was demonstrated in adults who were between the ages of 18 and 40 years at the beginning of the clinical trial.1
The clinical trials, which were up to three years in duration, involved 923 subjects, with 1756 woman-years of use with the non-radiopaque etonogestrel implant (IMPLANON). In a subgroup of patients aged 18-35, six pregnancies were reported, resulting in a Pearl Index of 0.38.1 Each conception was likely to have occurred shortly before or within two weeks following removal of the non-radiopaque etonogestrel implant.1 Pregnancies were observed to occur as early as seven to 14 days after removal of the arm implant.1 If pregnancy is not desired after removal of the implant, another method of birth control must be started immediately.1
About Merck
For more than 125 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on YouTube and Twitter@MerckCanada
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).
Please see the product monograph for NEXPLANON® (etonogestrel implant) at:
1 NEXPLANON® Product Monograph. Merck & Co. Inc. Updated May 25, 2020.
SOURCE Merck
Emergent BioSolutions Applauds Pharmacy Leaders on Consensus Guidelines for Naloxone
First-ever Canadian national consensus guidelines which recommend all patients receiving an opioid should be dispensed take-home naloxone and counselled by a pharmacist.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - Emergent BioSolutions today announced its strong support for the new Canadian national consensus guidelines for naloxone prescribing by pharmacists published in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal for aiming to bring clarity and consistency to naloxone prescribing, which may ultimately help reverse more opioid poisonings until medical help arrives.
"Pharmacists are a critical part of a community and are truly on the frontlines of the opioid crisis," said David Renwick, Vice President & General Manager, Emergent BioSolutions Canada. "These consensus guidelines set a new standard of care in ensuring naloxone gets into the hands of those who need it – especially those who don't recognize the risk their opioid prescription may pose. Having naloxone on hand can make a real difference when an accidental opioid poisoning occurs."
Recent reports indicate disturbing numbers of opioid-related deaths across Canada: in 2019, there were 3,823 opioid-related deaths, with the highest rates in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.i A 2016 report found a significant number of opioid poisoning deaths involve individuals who had an active or recent prescription for an opioid at time of death.iv Naloxone can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose until medical help arrives. Despite the availability of take-home naloxone kits, naloxone dispensing by pharmacies is highly variable.ii
A steering committee of eight pharmacists from relevant practice and professional settings across Canada was convened to develop the consensus guidelines. The guidelines recommend all patients receiving an opioid should also be dispensed a naloxone kit and be counselled by a pharmacist. They also recommend pharmacists follow up with patients after three months and again at one year after dispensing naloxone, as well as conducting ongoing yearly follow ups.
These new consensus guidelines recommend that naloxone be dispensed proactively to all patients receiving opioids as it can be difficult for pharmacists to accurately assess the potential risk of opioid overdose. Approximately 1 in 8 (~4.7 million) people in Canada were prescribed opioids in 2018, representing a large number of people at risk for potential opioid-related toxicities and overdose.iii The data show prescription opioids can be involved in deaths due to opioid poisonings – as an example, around one-quarter to one-third of opioid-related deaths in Ontario involved individuals who had active prescription opioids at the time of their death.iv, v
Expanding access to naloxone and informing patients with prescription opioids on its use is also a priority issue in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires that labelling on opioid medications be updated to recommend health care professionals discuss the availability of naloxone, both when beginning and renewing treatment.vi It also recommends health care professionals discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing opioid pain relievers or medicines to treat opioid use disorder, and consider prescribing naloxone to those at increased risk of opioid overdose.vii
About Emergent BioSolutions Emergent BioSolutions is a global life sciences company whose mission is to protect and enhance life. Through our specialty products and contract development and manufacturing services, we are dedicated to providing solutions that address public health threats. Through social responsibility, we aim to build healthier and safer communities. We aspire to deliver peace of mind to our patients and customers so they can focus on what's most important in their lives. In working together, we envision protecting or enhancing 1 billion lives by 2030.
Funding support provided by Emergent BioSolutions as acknowledged in the consensus guidelines.
iv Choremis B, Campbell T, Tadrous M, Martins D, Antoniou T, Gomes T. The uptake of the pharmacy-dispensed naloxone kit program in Ontario: A population-based study. PloS one. 2019;14(10):e0223589-e.
v Gomes T, Khuu W, Martins D, Tadrous M, Mamdani MM, Paterson JM, et al. Contributions of prescribed and non-prescribed opioids to opioid related deaths: population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada. BMJ. 2018;362:k3207.
Don’t Lose Focus on Vision Health During COVID: Glaucoma Expert Shares His Tips for Healthy Eyes
New York, NY, September 24, 2020 — The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the way we visit our doctors, but it shouldn’t prevent us from staying up-to-date with our usual health care appointments, including vision checkups.
“During the coronavirus pandemic, people should guard their eyes with glasses or face shields to protect their eyes from virus infection," says Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York. People also need to know, even though there are many concerns about COVID-19, common-sense precautions can significantly reduce the risk of infection, he says, adding:“Wash hands frequently, follow good contact lens hygiene and avoid rubbing or touching our mouth, nose and especially our eyes.'' Dr. Laroche is also affiliated with the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Island Eye Surgical Center and New York University.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed the way people visit their doctors. For patients over 60, Dr. Laroche advises it's better to stay home and do telehealth over the phone or video consultation until the pandemic flattens. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts. A healthy brain function requires a healthy vision. The brain is our most essential organ, and it allows us to control other organs. Normal and healthy vision contributes to improved learning and comprehension for a better quality of life,” says Dr. Laroche.
Dr. Laroche says there is another critical issue that COVID-19 has brought to the forefront and that is the issue of health care disparities among Black and Brown people. “Nationally, African American deaths from COVID-19 are nearly two times greater than would be expected based on their share of the population. In four states, the rate is three or more times greater. In 42 states, plus Washington, D.C., Hispanics make up a greater share of confirmed cases than their share of the population. In eight states it’s more than four times greater,” he says, adding: “In stark contrast, white deaths from COVID-19 are lower than their share of the population in 37 states.”
Dr. Laroche says there are several things that can be done to not only address but to help combat this issue:
1. Increase the number of Black and Afro-Latino physicians worldwide.
2. Implement universal health care.
3. Increase wealth and education which produces better health.
4. Provide a living income stipend for poor people to access food and reduce malnutrition.
5. Eliminate racism to reduce stress.
6. Identify white supremist organizations as terrorist groups.
7. Recommend all corporations have people of color in the top management and leadership positions.
8. Eliminate sole reliance on standardized testing as the criteria to be used at entry to magnet schools.
9. Provide more funding to reduce homelessness and for mental health.
10. The government should also require medical school, research and hospital funding to diversify and benefit people of color.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
For more information about Dr. Laroche, please call 212-663-0473 or visit: www.advancedeyecareny.com.
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Canadian Tech Companies Pull Together for First Nations Virtual Health Care
VANCOUVER, Sept. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - WelTel Health (WelTel) and Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc.(MIS) announced today that they have formed a Partnership to advance patient engagement and virtual healthcare solutions in support of improved communication between local First Nations community care providers and their patients.
WelTel is a pioneering, two-way texting and mobile communications platform that facilitates efficient communication between care providers and their patients. WelTel leverages SMS as its core communication to ensure greater access and reach: patients enrolled in WelTel require only a basic phone and do not need a data plan or internet. As a clinically proven patient-centred outreach and engagement solution, WelTel enables care providers to monitor and triage targeted patient groups to deliver timely, quality care and improve health outcomes.
"We are excited to be partnering with an Indigenous company and have seen through years of research and engagement that WelTel has tremendous potential to benefit First Nations community health," said Dr. Richard Lester, co-founder of WelTel and an infectious diseases specialist with Vancouver Coastal Health. "Mobile technology, in particular SMS-texting, is more commonly available and affordable for patients. WelTel was developed using a holistic population-engagement approach that is consistent with my understanding of First Nations community-based service approaches."
MIS and WelTel Health are made-in-B.C. companies that have demonstrated notable successes in their respective fields. Starting this Fall, they will be working together to bring the WelTel solution to health clinics in First Nations communities across Canada.
"MIS is honoured to announce this partnership with WelTel Health. I believe it will help put the right tools in the right hands to positively impact health services and health status outcomes for communities," said Mark Sommerfeld, Chief Executive Officer of MIS. "Our two companies are aligned in terms of values and approach, and share a common belief that technology design needs to be inclusive to ensure that no person is left behind."
The WelTel Solution has been clinically validated by numerous health research studies and has been deployed internationally in a number of rural and urban settings. It is being used in Rwanda and Uganda for COVID-19 patient support and tracking and has been recognized in Canada as having tremendous potential to support those who are self-quarantining for COVID-19.
Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc.
Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc. is a leader in Indigenous health, child and family services, and patient access. MIS solutions are the leading tools of choice for Indigenous health and human service organizations across Canada. Our tools are recognized for their ability to provide a balance of standardized digital health functionality as well as support the unique functional and cultural requirements of Indigenous services and their approaches to wellness for the communities they serve. Our customer intimacy, traditional values-driven business approach, and our ability to technically integrate a broader care model inclusive of federal and provincial health care partners allows us to meaningfully support our Indigenous customers nationally.
WelTel Health
WelTel is a virtual healthcare and patient engagement platform that helps ensure everyone has access to the care they need, when they need it, using their mobile phone. WelTel's 2-way SMS texting technology enhances caregiver-patient communication, improves adherence to treatment plans, and reduces ER visits and hospital readmissions. Originally developed for use in remote or marginalized communities, today WelTel is deployed around the world in a variety of settings ranging from mental health to pediatric cardiology to general practice, and more recently on the front lines of COVID-19 contact support and case management. WelTel's robust, clinically-proven technology is easy to use for practitioners and patients, and it works with basic cellular phones without internet connections or data plans. No downloads, no apps tracking your every move. Discrete, efficient and effective — WelTel enables data-informed decision-making that builds stronger, healthier communities where no one is left behind.
SOURCE Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc.
DECN ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS FOR ITS GENVIRO! SALIVA SWIFT KIT FOR USA AND INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL USE
visuals will accompany distribution of company’s GenViro! Swift Kits globally and also be posted on the web site in english, and with sub-titles in german, russian, spanish and french
LOS ANGELES, CA—September 22, 2020 / Decision Diagnostics Corp. (OTC: DECN) www.decisiondiagnostics.co, a leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of diabetic test strips engineered to operate on legacy glucose meters through its subsidiary Pharma Tech Solutions, Inc., today announced it has completed the two professional use instructional videos that will accompany the Genviro! Covid-19 Saliva Swift Kit to market both in the US and internationally. The videos provide step-by-step instructions for professionals to follow to obtain the most accurate results with each and every use of the product. As stated in a prior press release, the international product launch for GenViro! Swift will commence on September 26, 2020, and is expected to be rolled out over several weeks with pricing having been recently announced.
“Achieving accurate results using the Genviro! Swift Kits among professionals and eventually with at-home users will rely heavily on the ability to properly administer the test. That’s why we spent significant time and effort on the production and final video product to create what we believe are straightforward and easy to follow instructions. Instructional videos are a part of both the FDA EUA and CE Mark Iso emergency processes. There will actually be 6 total videos. Two in English, one each for the domestic and international product versions, and then with sub-titles added, one each in German, Russian, Spanish and French,” said CEO Keith Berman.
As stated in a prior announcement, the Genviro! Covid-19 Saliva Swift Kits had already completed a rigorous round of testing at the company’s manufacturing and product development facility in Daegu, Korea.
ABOUT DECISION DIAGNOSTICS CORP
Decision Diagnostics Corp. is the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of diabetic test strips engineered to operate on legacy glucose meters. DECN's products are designed to operate efficiently and less expensively on certain glucose meters already in use by almost 7.5 million diabetics worldwide. With newly inspired technology diabetic test strips already in the final stages of development, DECN products compete on a worldwide scale with legacy manufacturers currently selling to 71+ percent of a $15+ billion at-home testing market. The company's new GenViro!™ product designed to test for Covid-19, is not yet available in the United States or Puerto Rico, but Emergency (EUA) Waivers are in process with the U.S. FDA. On September 26, 2020 the company plans to launch its International package versions of its GenViro! Swift Kit and Swift Meter.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains the company's forward-looking statements which are based on management's current expectations and assumptions as of September 21, 2020, regarding the company's business and performance, its prospects, current factors, the economy, and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances, and results.
Drake’s Organic Spirits Enters Japan
Leading distiller of ultra-premium organic vodka and rum brings it Spiked Ice freeze-and-eat adult treats to Costco locations in the Land of the Rising Sun
Minneapolis, MN ( September 24, 2020 ) – Drake’s Organic Spirits announced today the launch of its popular Spiked Ice freeze-and-eat adult treats at all 27 Costco locations in Japan, which owns the world’s third-largest economy and is populated by over 125 million people.
Drake’s Organic Spiked Ice freeze and eat or chill and drink popsicles feature 15% ABV and only 80 calories each. Spiked Ice is available in four flavors - Mango Rum Punch, Vodka Lemonade, Watermelon Martini and Classic Mojito - and are made with Drake’s award-winning all-organic ultra-premium vodka and white rum. They contain no artificial colors or flavors and freeze with twice the ABV as other brands.
Adhering to Japan’s strict organic standards and requirements is the biggest hurdle for overseas firms trying to get a foothold in the nation. All Drake’s Organic Spirits are certified USDA organic, non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher. The five certifications ensure a cleaner drinking option that comes only from the highest quality organic ingredients.
“We’re thrilled that consumers in Japan will now be able enjoy Drake’s highly-popular Spiked Ice treats,” said Drake’s Founder and CEO Mark Anderson. “Japanese customers are extremely quality conscious and Japan was among the first countries to seek organic and non-gmo products. Spiked Ice is perfect for a market ready for our great tasting, high-quality organic certified spirits. Drake’s is still the only spirit brand in the world to hold all five health and wellness certifications.”
The launch of Drake’s Organic Spirits products in Japan was scheduled for earlier 2020 but delayed due to the global coronavirus pandemic. A complete list of Costco locations in Japan can be found at https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder .
About Drake’s Organic Spirits Minneapolis-based Drake’s Organic Spirits was launched in 2017. Drake’s uses the highest quality USDA organic and non-GMO Project Verified ingredients to create a line of ultra- premium spirits and mixes. Drake’s Organic Vodka, Drake’s Organic White Rum and Drakes Organic Spiced Rum offer a no-grain, no-gluten, no-gmo, ultra-premium and 12-times distilled handcrafted spirits at a better price than the leading premium brands. The company recently began producing bulk sanitizer to meet the need for cleaner, safer environments.
Drake’s Organic Premium Vodka was awarded Double Gold and Drake’s Organic White Rum received Gold at the most recent Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, FL. The highly-respected awards are widely considered among the most prestigious in the industry because judges are industry experts who blind taste-test each spirit.
Khiron Becomes First Company to Sell Medical Cannabis in Peru, and Surpasses 3,000 Prescriptions in Colombia
First prescriptions for Khiron's medical cannabis in Peru are filled as the Company surpasses 3,000 medical cannabis prescription milestone in Colombia
Khiron becomes the first Company to sell and fill medical cannabis prescriptions through private pharmacies in Peru
The Company began sales in Peru with full spectrum High CBD supplied by Khiron Colombia and distributed to patients under the previously announced agreement with Farmacia Universal S.A.C.
Farmacia Universal is an established pharmacy chain, with 10 locations in Lima
Quotas for Khiron's high THC medical cannabis have also been approved by DIGEMID, Peru's drug regulatory authority, with first prescriptions anticipated in Q4 2020
With a population of 32 million, Peru's medical cannabis market is expected to be one of the largest in Latin America
TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQX: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America and Europe, announced that it has filled the first prescriptions of full spectrum, high CBD medical cannabis to patients in Peru. This comes following authorization from DIGEMID, Peru's drug regulatory authority, and expands sales of Khiron's medical cannabis to a second jurisdiction in Latin America, following established sales in Colombia, where over 3,000 prescriptions have been filled to date.
"After completing successfully all export, import and distribution requirements to bring our approved high CBD medical cannabis products into Peru, we are now very proud to begin sales and give patients greater access to medical cannabis therapies in order to improve significantly their quality of life," comments Luis Marquez, Khiron Peru Country Manager.
In Peru, only registered pharmaceutical establishments that have received Good Storage Practices (GSP) certification and licenses to import and commercialize medical cannabis are authorized to participate in the wholesale import and commercialization of cannabis products. Khiron Peru is a GSP certified, registered pharmaceutical establishment, and Farmacia Universal has all required permits and licenses, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification, to prepare magistral preparations with medical cannabis and distribute final products to patients through pharmacies under the previously announced agreement with Khiron.
"At Khiron we continue to execute on our stated strategy to deliver quality medical cannabis products to patients and to improve the quality of their lives. In a short period of time, and despite a global pandemic, we have filled over 3,000 medical cannabis prescriptions in Colombia, and today we are pleased to expand that reach, filling our first patient prescriptions in Peru, an important market of 32 million people," comments Alvaro Torres, Khiron CEO and director.
Additionally, quotas for Khiron's high THC medical cannabis product in Peru have also been approved by DIGEMID, with first patient prescriptions anticipated to be filled in Q4 2020.
Farmacia Universal S.A.C. is a well-known Peruvian pharmacy chain. The company operates ten locations in Lima and is a leader in the pharmaceutical preparations sector in Peru. In addition to selling pharmaceutical, surgical and orthopedic products, among others, the company differentiates its brand with premium service to customers and patients.
About Khiron Life Sciences Corp. Khiron is a vertically integrated medical and CPG cannabis company with core operations in Latin America, and operational activity in Europe and North America. Khiron is the leading cannabis company in Colombia and the first company licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution and sales, and international export of both low and high THC medical cannabis products. The Company has filled medical cannabis prescriptions in Peru and has a presence in Mexico, Uruguay, UK, Spain and also in Germany, where it is positioned to begin sales of medical cannabis.
Leveraging its first-mover advantage and patient-oriented approach, Khiron combines global scientific expertise, product innovation, agricultural infrastructure, wholly-owned medical clinics, and online doctor education programs to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions. Its Wellbeing unit launched the first branded CBD skincare brand in Colombia, with Kuida™ now marketed in multiple jurisdictions in Latin America, the US and UK. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced and diverse executive team and Board of Directors.
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp.
ViiV Healthcare Announces Availability of CABENUVA and VOCABRIA in Canada
LAVAL, QC, Sept. 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, ViiV Healthcare Canada announced stock availability of CABENUVA and VOCABRIA across the country. CABENUVA is the first and only once-monthly, complete long-acting injectable regimen indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults to replace the current antiretroviral (ARV) regimen in patients who are virologically stable and suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/mL). It combines the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) cabotegravir with the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) rilpivirine.1 [VOCABRIA and CABENUVA PM p4A,26A]
Both CABENUVA and VOCABRIA received approval from Health Canada on March 18, 2020. VOCABRIA, oral cabotegravir, together with Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson's EDURANT, oral rilpivirine, is used for the short-term treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults who are virologically stable and suppressed prior to initiating CABENUVA.1[VOCABRIA and CABENUVA PM p4A]
Dacia Hibbert, General Manager of ViiV Healthcare Canada, said: "We are proud to make CABENUVA and VOCABRIA available to people living with HIV. CABENUVA will give people living with HIV the option of maintaining viral suppression with 12 treatments per year."
The approval of VOCABRIA and CABENUVA was based on the pivotal phase III ATLAS (Antiretroviral Therapy as Long-Acting Suppression) and FLAIR (First Long-Acting Injectable Regimen) studies that included more than 1,100 participants from 16 countries, including Canada. Prior to initiating treatment with CABENUVA, oral dosing of VOCABRIA and EDURANT was administered for approximately one month to assess the tolerability of cabotegravir and rilpivirine. The studies demonstrated that CABENUVA, when injected intramuscularly in the buttocks, once a month, was effective in maintaining viral suppression throughout the 48-week study period.1-3 [VOCABRIA and CABENUVA PM p35A,35B,37B,38A][Swindells 2020 p4A,5A][Orkin 2020 p4A,5A]
In both studies, the most common adverse reactions (Grades 1 to 4) observed in ≥2% of participants receiving CABENUVA were injection site reactions, pyrexia, fatigue, headache, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, sleep disorders, dizziness, rash, and diarrhea. Over the 48-week study period, a total of 4% of participants discontinued CABENUVA due to adverse events.1[CABENUVA PM p.16A,16B]
Please consult the Product Monograph at www.viivhealthcare.ca for complete safety information. The Product Monograph is also available by calling 1-877-393-8448.
About HIV At the end of 2016, there were an estimated 63,110 people living with HIV in Canada, representing a 5% increase from 2014. The HIV prevalence rate was 173 per 100,000 population with an estimated 14% of people unaware of their status. As treatments work to reduce HIV-related mortality, and new infections are outpacing the number of deaths, the number of Canadians living with HIV will likely continue to increase in the near future.4 [PHAC 2016 p8A,9A]
About ViiV HealthcareViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 by GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV and for people who are at risk of becoming infected with HIV. Shionogi joined in October 2012. The company's aim is to take a deeper and broader interest in HIV/AIDS than any company has done before and take a new approach to deliver effective and innovative medicines for HIV treatment and prevention, as well as support communities affected by HIV.
For more information on the company, its management, portfolio, pipeline and commitment, please visit www.viivhealthcare.com.
About GSK GSK – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.ca.gsk.com.
