MUNCIE, Indiana – Nearly a third of Americans are getting inadequate sleep -- including police offices, healthcare workers and truck drivers -- and it is getting worse with every passing year, says a new study from Ball State University.
“Short Sleep Duration in Working American Adults,” an analysis of more than 150,000 working adults from 2010 to 2018, found that prevalence of inadequate sleep — 7 hours or less — increased from 30.9% of respondents in 2010 to 35.6% in 2018. The study was posted Monday by the Journal of Community Health.
The study also found that the people who report getting the fewest hours of shut-eye include native born Americans, who are female, have children at home, work for the government, and live in the South.
“Inadequate sleep is associated with mild to severe physical and mental health problems, injury, loss of productivity, and premature mortality,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, lead author and a health science professor at Ball State. “This is a significant finding because the U.S. is currently witnessing high rates of chronic diseases across all ages, and many of these diseases are related to sleep problems.”
The study found that in 2018, professions with the highest levels of poor sleep including those in the police and military (50%), health care support occupations (45%), transport and material moving (41%), and production occupations (41%).
“There is no definitive cause found for these trends in sleep duration in working American population,” Khubchandani said. “We see the workplace is changing as Americans work longer hours, and there is greater access and use of technology and electronic devices, which tend to keep people up at night. Add to this the progressive escalation in workplace stress in the United States, and the rising prevalence of multiple chronic conditions could be related to short sleep duration in working American adults.”
The study also found:
For men, about 30.5% reported getting 7 or less hours of sleep in 2010 and by 2018 about 35.5% reporting inadequate sleep.
Among women, those reported too little sleep grew from 31.2% in 2011 to 35.8% in 2018.
By race and inadequate sleep prevalence, the trend from 2010-2018 was 29.2 to 34.1% for whites, 40.6 to 46.5% for African-Americans, 29.5 to 35.3% for Asians, and 35.2 to 45.2% for multiracial adults.
From 2010 to 2018, the largest increases in sleep deprivation were reported by men, multiracial individuals, older adults, those living in the western U.S., and widowed, divorced, or separated people.
Khubchandani believes that employers should take steps to make sure their workers are getting enough rest.
“Employers have a major responsibility and should use health promotion strategies to ensure that workers who struggle with sleep problems are assisted,” he said. “We all suffer when our bus and truck drivers, doctors, and nurses are sleep deprived.”
Khubchandani also warns that the use of over-the-counter medications may be making life miserable for millions of Americans.
Many of these medications can have side effects, including worsening of insomnia when inappropriately prescribed or used. Even in primary care, insomnia is frequently misreported, ignored, or the treatment could be suboptimal, despite access to standard treatment interventions, he said.
Khubchandani also suggests that from a public health perspective, chronic sleep problems need management by qualified professionals.
“There is a need for increasing awareness and improving the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders,” he said, “and there needs to be emphasis on public education, training for health professionals, and monitoring.”
Infoway Releases Request for Expression of Interest for PrescribeIT® Standalone Solution
TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - To foster innovation, Canada Health Infoway has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for a standalone solution to complement the core integrated offering and further expand PrescribeIT® in Canada. Infoway is inviting all interested parties to review the document and participate in the process. The aim of the REOI is to elicit solutions/proposals that will meet our technological, marketing/sales and outreach goals while helping us better understand the capabilities of the broader market.
"We look forward to expanding the PrescribeIT® service by offering a standalone solution to prescribers," said Michael Green, President and CEO of Infoway. "We encourage the health care industry and private sector partners to respond with creative and innovative proposals that will enable more Canadians to benefit from the convenience, efficiency, safety and security of e-prescribing."
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. Visit www.prescribeit.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.ca
Media Inquiries: Karen Schmidt Director, Corporate/Internal Communications Canada Health Infoway 416.595.3167
Wacky Jet Stream Brings Both Cold and Heat to the US
How climate change destabilizes the jet stream and creates abnormal conditions
An early season, record-breaking storm brought up to 4 feet of snow to parts of Montana over the weekend, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency. A bend in the jet stream, a signal of climate change, allowed for Arctic air to dip into Montana and created winter-like conditions. The same jet stream (highlighted in the image below) is causing “record-challenging” heat in the East.
Jennifer Francis, Senior Scientist at Woods Hole Research Center explains the image below: “The southward dip in the jet stream just to Montana's west is formed as a rebound to the big northward swing into Northwest Canada that was almost certainly being boosted by the very warm ocean temperatures along the west coast of North America and north of Alaska. Those warm waters near Alaska are connected to the extreme sea-ice loss that occurred there this summer, which allowed a great deal of extra solar energy to be absorbed rather than reflected to space by ice.”
Climate models suggest that early autumn extreme snowfall events in the Northern Great Plains are less likely due to human-caused climate change. This average trend, however, does not rule out extreme weather outbreaks tied to Arctic warming and a destabilized jet stream. These outbreaks of Arctic air can break cold-temperature and snowfall records even as the average temperature increases. Here’s what we know for sure:
Climate change destabilizes the jet stream.This fast-moving, high-altitude river of wind determines weather patterns across much of North America, and is powered by the temperature differential between the frozen Arctic and warmer climate farther south. However, climate change is warming the Arctic much faster than areas farther south. That reduces the temperature difference between the two regions, cutting off the fuel required for the jet stream to maintain its tight, circular path As the Arctic rapidly warms, the jet stream slows and weakens, and favors a more meandering north-south path.
“When you’ve got one kind of extreme in one place, most likely you’re going to find extremes of other types also occurring at the same time because of these bends in the jet streams,” said Francis in a video explaining jet streams with Climate Signals in 2018.
The blizzard in Montana is due to this wavy jet stream pattern, which is also responsible for “record-challenging heat in the East” and “dramatically cooler conditions in the West.” Warmer-than-average temps could break records throughout the Midwest and East Coast this week.
Climate change increases the frequency of extreme storms. Warmer air holds more moisture and causes more intense rain and snow storms. NOAA scientists, examining 120 years of data, found that there were twice as manyextreme regional snowstorms in the US between 1961 and 2010 compared to 1900 to 1960.
800 Riders Raise Over $861,548 at Ride for Cancer
NOTE TO EDITORS: Video, photo, and interview opportunities of Ride for Cancer participants crossing the finish line today between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at LED Roadway Lighting, 115 Chain Lake Drive, Halifax.
HALIFAX, Sept. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - On Saturday, September 28, a community of over 800 riders, 210 volunteers, sponsors, and supporters came together and raised over $861,548 net for cancer care in this region – and that number is still growing.
Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal is Atlantic Canada's largest one-day fundraising cycling event and is hosted in partnership by the QEII Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
Since the event began four years ago, Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal has raised more than $2.56 million.
"Funds raised through Ride for Cancer make a tangible impact here at home," says Bill Bean, President and CEO, QEII Foundation. "The community support for this event continues to grow and make a big impact on a disease that touches so many of us."
This year, the ride honoured the late Dr. Stephen Couban, former QEII hematologist. Sue Pleasance, Ride participant and cancer survivor, worked alongside Dr. Couban for many years. Sue took the stage to pay tribute to Dr. Couban during the event's opening ceremonies.
"I want to honour a remarkable man who would be here today if cancer had not taken his life," says Sue. "On January 9, 2019, Stephen advised us of his diagnosis – pancreatic cancer. Two months later, we received the devastating news, he was gone. How could this happen to a man who gave so much of himself to fight against this disease," said Sue to a teary-eyed crowd.
With fond memories of the first time the QEII's hematology team took part in Ride during its inaugural year in 2015, Sue says "Stephen was the first one to cross the finish line that year – he gave it his all and I know he would want us to do the same today."
Riders took to the road or the Rum Runners Trail from Mahone Bay to Halifax – with distance options ranging from 25 kilometres all the way to 160 kilometres. No matter the distance, the goal was the same – supporting Atlantic Canadians battling cancer.
Funds raised from the 2019 Ride for Cancer event will support local cancer care to fund state-of-the art cervical cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment and help fund Atlantic Canada's first surgical robotics system at the QEII, which will treat a range of cancers with a laser focus on prostate cancer. Research to discover new treatments for blood cancer patients and individualized patient and family support programs will also be funded through this year's ride.
Presenting sponsor of Ride for Cancer for the fifth year in a row, BMO Bank of Montreal has played an integral role in the success of the annual cycling event.
Extra amino acid could work wonders Rice U. chemist uses designer amino acids in search for new cures
HOUSTON – (Sept. 27, 2019) – There are 20 amino acids in the standard genetic code. A Rice University professor wants to know what one can do with 21.
Rice chemist Han Xiao has landed a $1.8 million National Institutes of Health grant to learn how a custom-designed 21st amino acid could be employed to make life-saving substances — and how to get genetically programmed cells to make them.
Xiao won a renewable R35 grant, issued through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The five-year grant will help enable the design of “unnatural organisms,” cells customized to produce a library of 100 or more designer amino acids that could in turn produce novel proteins for therapies.
“It’s an old question: Why do we have 20 amino acids?” said Xiao, Rice’s Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator and an assistant professor of chemistry, who joined Rice in 2017 with funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). “Why don’t we have 21? And if we have a 21st amino acid, can we evolve a protein with some new function?
Xiao said it will be challenging to engineer bacteria with DNA that encodes a "noncanonical," or custom-made amino acid.
“We would need several steps,” he said. “No. 1, we need to have a cell that can make this non-canonical amino acid. No. 2, we need a special codon for this new building block. And No. 3, we need a whole new translational mechanism to incorporate this building block.
“People have done a really good job for No. 2 and 3, but we’re still missing the first part, the cell,” Xiao said. “If we can couple them, we can create a totally unnatural organism to make a noncanonical amino acid and use it for the translational target. My lab wants to put these puzzle pieces together.”
If he succeeds, bioscientists will have a new tool to make custom proteins that can treat disease.
“I think there are a lot of applications,” Xiao said. “For example, you can make switchable chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cells for immunotherapy, or you can make antibody drug conjugates. Along with addressing fundamental evolutionary questions, these would have a big impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
“It’s pretty challenging to make something this complicated, but I think we have a good platform and a good team,” he said.
Health Canada approves Dupixent™ as the first biologic for the treatment of adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
Dupixent™ can significantly reduce the constant itch and improve the skin's overall condition1
TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2019 /CNW/ - Health Canada has approved Dupixent™ (dupilumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adolescent patients aged 12 years and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.2 Treatment with Dupixent™, the first targeted therapy for moderate-to-severe AD, demonstrated a significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of the condition and certain quality of life measures in adolescent patients.3
Dupixent™ was first approved by Health Canada on November 30, 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD.4
"Dupixent™ has been used safely and effectively to treat thousands of adults living with atopic dermatitis, here in Canada and other countries," says Dr. Perla Lansang, Dermatologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "It's so important that this treatment option is now available to help adolescents who suffer from this life-altering disease."
The adolescent indication for Dupixent™ is based on the findings from a pivotal Phase 3 trial presented at the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris, France in 2018.
Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is a chronic inflammatory disease.5 In its moderate-to-severe form, it is characterized by rashes that can potentially cover much of the body, and can include intense, persistent itching, skin lesions and skin dryness, cracking redness, crusting and oozing.6 Inadequately controlled atopic dermatitis can have a physical, emotional and psychosocial impact, causing sleep disturbance, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and feelings of isolation.7
"Atopic dermatitis has no cure. Patients living with this disease are in desperate need of effective medications today," says Marissa Poole, General Manager, Sanofi Genzyme Canada. "Dupixent™ is a novel treatment that can help reduce the severe itching associated with atopic dermatitis, effectively clear skin and improve quality of life for adolescent patients. This treatment offers hope for a better life for patients living with this condition."
About Dupixent™
Dupixent™ (dupilumab) – the first biologic therapy in Canada to target the root cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) was first approved by Health Canada on November 30, 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.8 Clinical studies showed an acceptable safety profile with a significant improvement in the condition of patients' skin and reduction in itch within the first four months of biweekly treatment.9 The long-term safety profile of Dupixent™ observed in adolescents was consistent with that seen in adults with atopic dermatitis.10 The medicine is jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement.
Dupixent™ showed positive results in the pivotal Phase 3 trial presented at the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)
The findings from the Phase 3 trial showed the potential of Dupixent™ to significantly improve the constant itch and certain quality of life measures in adolescents aged 12 years and older whose AD is inadequately controlled with topical therapies or for whom topical treatment was medically inadvisable. The data was presented at the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris, France.
This late-breaking presentation at EADV indicated the co-primary endpoint outside of the U.S. had a 75 per cent improvement in the Ezcema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75), and included the following significant improvements:11
41.5 per cent of patients who received Dupixent™ every two weeks and 38 per cent of patients who received Dupixent™ every four weeks achieved 75 per cent or greater improvement (EASI-75) compared to 8 per cent with placebo (p less than 0.001).12
24 per cent of patients who received weight-based dosing of Dupixent™ every two weeks (200 mg or 300 mg) and 18 per cent of patients who received a fixed dose of Dupixent™ every four weeks (300 mg) achieved the primary endpoint – clear or almost-clear skin (IGA; score of 0 or 1) – compared with 2 per cent with placebo (p less than 0.001).13
About Sanofi, Canada
Sanofi, Canada employs more than 2,000 people. In 2017, we invested in $123 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunities throughout the country.
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.
With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.
BREAKING GLASS PICTURES ANNOUNCES THE US RELEASE OF ECO-TERRORIST: THE BATTLE FOR OUR PLANET ACROSS THE US STARTING OCTOBER 1, 2019
Breaking Glass Pictures brings Peter Jay Brown’s follow-up to the multiple-award-winning, behind-the-scenes feature-documentary on Captain Paul, Whale Wars and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and dives into the depths of environmental movement to audiences across the US on October 1, 2019“A freedom fighter”Bill Maher“So rascally in tone you might expect "yo-ho-ho's" and festive eye-patches." Dennis Harvey, Variety"Eco-Terrorist takes Whale Wars Up a Notch"WiredClick here to view the trailer LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (September 26, 2019) — Breaking Glass Pictures is thrilled to announce the US release of director and producer Peter Jay Brown’s (Entertainment Tonight, Real People, Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist) latest no-holds-barred environmental feature documentary, Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet on October 1, 2019. “Breaking Glass Pictures is excited to be distributing Eco-terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet to help spread the word about the dire situation in which we find our planet. There is no reason, in 2019, to hunt such beautiful and intelligent mammals and to impose any further damage on the earth’s eco-system that is already hanging in the balance. It’s time for everyone to do their part.” Said Rich Wolff, CEO of Breaking Glass Pictures.Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet follows the most wanted environmentalist today, Captain Paul Watson. In this unique and groundbreaking film, Brown takes a deeper look into what really goes on behind the scenes in the deep waters of our world. After 40 years on the frontlines, Brown exposes more pranks, the glory of successful missions, and fierce encounters with some of the most infamous and illegal marine hunters, while stopping at nothing to protect wildlife on a global scale. The film takes the audience right to the frontlines of the modern day environmental movement via those who started it. According to Brown, “My films and television shows on the environment were all about how we started a revolution on a shoestring of tactics and often deceit. Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet shows how the struggle has been eclipsed by eco-corporations and money that have overshadowed the efforts of the true activists. Saving the planet involves each and every one of us. This why I have returned to grass roots activism, and am beyond thrilled that audiences will now have a chance to join the good fight and get a first-hand glimpse into the belly of the beast of the eco-movement.” Filmmaker and longest-serving Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) crewmember, first mate to Captain Paul Watson and a captain in his own right, Peter Jay Brown reunites his ruthless cast in this Post Whale-Wars feature documentary that captures all sides of the SSCS from its inception to this very day. Included is even more never-before-seen footage of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society campaigns featuring renegade environmentalists and their guerilla tactics. Sneaking about, trouble-making, and at times humorous tricks play a role in trying to put an end to the brutal slaughter of these helpless animals. Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet will be available for audiences across the US starting October 1, 2019 on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNOW, DirectTV and Dish Network/Dish Signal, and through local cable & satellite providers. The film will also be available on DVD at fine distributors everywhere. Film credits include: Director/producer Peter Jay Brown, producer Elora West, writer Timothy Wade Huntley and executive producers Lon Haber and Lawrence Mortoff with music composed by Drew Schnurr.
Spectrum Therapeutics Announces Donation to Support Research and Education Initiatives Led by the Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network
SMITHS FALLS, ON and MONTREAL, Sept. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - Spectrum Therapeutics ("Spectrum"), the medical division of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is pleased to announce a donation to the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montreal (Montreal Sacre Coeur Hospital Foundation) to support the Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network's ("CSCN") associated national campaign: Sleep On It which aims to raise awareness about the importance of good quality sleep on health.
Spectrum's donation to the campaign has been made, based on CSCN's request to support their initiative to organize the sleep scientific community around the question of cannabis use for sleep disorders. Although an increasing volume of anecdotal data indicates the growing usage of cannabis from individuals coping with sleep disorders, clinical scientific evidence on its effectiveness is still limited. Hence, via this donation, CSCN will be able to provide to the public, health management decision makers as well as the sleep scientific community, a review of currently available data and identify the research gaps that need to be filled. This review is expected to be completed during the second half of the 2020 calendar year.
By partnering with the leader in the cannabis industry, CSCN's objective is to combine the expertise of clinicians, physicians and researchers across the country to facilitate and scientifically support the development of a white paper based on a comprehensive review of all existing literature and facts about the use of cannabis in sleep disorder management. The report is also expected to be published during the second half of the 2020 calendar year and will introduce an updated clinical research program looking at all areas that impact quality of sleep, including pain, aging, and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Ultimately, the white paper will provide insights and guidance on future research directions and further requirements for evidence on the potential application of medical cannabis in treating sleep disorders.
"Good quality sleep is far more important to our long-term health than most people realize," commented Dr. Mark Ware, Chief Medical Officer, Canopy Growth. "We're just now beginning to explore the role cannabis can play in addressing sleep-related disorders. Patient feedback is very promising so far, and partnerships such as these will advance our understanding of the intriguing phenomenon of sleep that is so essential to our overall well-being."
"The legalization of cannabis in Canada has brought about a natural interest in the potential for cannabis in the treatment of sleeping disorders. We need to catalyze the development of collective efforts to further develop scientific knowledge platforms to inform policy, therapeutic practice, and prevention efforts about sleep and cannabis and to scientifically inform decision makers as well as general public about the research needs to produce evidence based data on sleep and cannabis," commented Dr Julie Carrier, Scientific director of the Canadian Sleep & Circadian Network and sleep researcher at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montreal.
One in three Canadians don't get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. The CSCN's mission is to mobilize the healthcare community to adopt an integrated approach towards improving outcomes and treatment of patients with sleep disorders.
Here's to Future Growth (and better sleep!)
About Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network The Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN) is national in scope and is committed to scientific excellence in the generation of new knowledge and its translation. We look to better understand sleep disruption and its impact so we can foster healthier sleep and healthier Canadians.
About Spectrum Therapeutics Spectrum Therapeutics, the medical division of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED, NYSE: CGC), is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, furthering the public's understanding of medical cannabis and its various applications, and cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Founded in Canada, Spectrum Therapeutics operates in Australia, South America, Africa and across Europe. Its products are available in a wide range of potencies and formats designed to simplify the dialogue around strength and dosage by applying a colour-coded spectrum to categorize medical cannabis according to THC and CBD levels.
Spectrum Therapeutics' offerings include whole flower cannabis, oils and new innovations such as Softgels in addition to single cannabinoid medicine Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics. Through product simplification, robust clinical research and ongoing education of healthcare professionals, Spectrum Therapeutics is committed to addressing the unmet medical needs of patients around the globe.
About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis, hemp and cannabis device company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms, as well as medical devices through the Company's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. The Company has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents. The Company's medical division, Spectrum Therapeutics is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Spectrum Therapeutics sells a range of full-spectrum products using its colour-coded classification Spectrum system as well as single cannabinoid Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics. The Company operates retail stores across Canada under its award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners. Tweed is a globally recognized cannabis brand which has built a large and loyal following by focusing on quality products and meaningful customer relationships. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icons Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House Seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates eleven licensed cannabis production sites with over 4.7 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com
Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include "aims to raise awareness about the importance of good quality sleep on health", and "development of a white paper based on a comprehensive review of all existing literature and facts" . Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including results of the research review and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 24, 2019 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Spectrum Therapeutics
StrainprintR Technologies Ltd. Launches the First Medical Cannabis Industry Report Based on the Largest Real-World Observational Patient Study
Technology Leader Releases Groundbreaking Research Report Providing Unique Insight From Over 800,000 Real-Time Canadian Medical Cannabis Patient Outcomes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO (Sept. 26, 2019) - StrainprintR Technologies Ltd. (Strainprint), the leader in cannabis data and analytics, is proud to announce the release of The Canadian Medical Cannabis Experience: A 2019 Patient Retrospective (the “Report”), the latest Strainprint research publication designed to support the entire cannabis industry with meaningful insights based on the technology leader’s unique and broad-based patient-led data. The Report features thorough analysis of more than 800,000 real-time anonymous patient outcomes reported during the period from January to December 2018.
“We hear time and time again about the need for comprehensive resources like our Patient Retrospective Report,” said Strainprint President, Dave Berg. “Medical cannabis hasn’t had decades of clinical trials to form guidelines on dosing, onset and efficiency and with over 450 chemical constituents in every strain, it is not like studying single molecules in traditional pharma. So, real-world patient data is invaluable for medical professionals and industry stakeholders looking to make informed choices for their patients and businesses.”
Strainprint aggregates anonymous patient-reported data from its award-winningmobile journaling App and through surveys and validated questionnaires from its online Strainprint Community. Strainprint has been collecting this unique and proprietary data since 2016 and it grows more granular by the day. Today, it is the largest data set of its kind in the world with more than 1.4 million sessions and 70 million data points on strain efficacy. It is the only cannabis consumption data tracked in real time against more than 1,600 lab-verified products by batch.
“Tracking symptomatic improvement against chemical profile (ingredients) by batch is the only way for the industry to advance the scientific understanding of cannabis,” said Michelle Arbus, Strainprint VP of Research. “We are fortunate in Canada to have a federal program with very high lab testing requirements, consistent across the country, giving us the most standardardized products from which to study and the best chance at personalizing cannabis as a medicine.”
The 2019 Patient Retrospective Report is the cutting edge of cannabis research and a major milestone for the cannabis industry. The Report analyzes user variables such as age, gender, region, usage frequency and efficacy by symptom and is the first research set able to identify which terpenes are active in the cannabis products that are reported to have the highest efficacy by symptom. A few key findings from the Report include:
Muscle pain, anxiety, depression, joint pain and insomnia are the top five symptoms that patients treated with cannabis during the Report period;
There are clear gender differences for the preferred choice of cannabis administration and the most effective methods of can vary by region, gender and age;
Multiple cannabis species are reported to offer comparable relief for particular symptoms, supporting the hypothesis that it is more than the species or the THC:CBD content that determines efficacy of a strain;
Patients overwhelmingly report positive and or neutral emotive effects from their medical cannabis use with very few unfavorable side effects. As well, the specific terpene profiles present in a strain can greatly impact the side effects; and
There was no significant change in how or when patients treated their various symptoms after cannabis was legalized recreationally in Canada.
While more study is certainly needed, Strainprint has raised the bar for cannabis industry research with the largest and most granular real-world observational patient study available. Strainprint Reports complement this data with actionable insights and are available for purchase at https://strainprint.ca/strainprint-reports/.
Founded in Toronto in 2016, StrainprintR Technologies Ltd. is the leading demand-side cannabis data and analytics company. With the world's largest longitudinal, observational data-set of its kind and a mission to advance the scientific understanding of cannabis and its legitimization as a mainstream therapy, Strainprint helps medical cannabis patients and doctors to use cannabis in the most effective and responsible way possible. StrainprintR data platform supports global cannabis research and provides advanced business intelligence and treatment guidance to producers, retailers, medical practitioners, pharmacies, government and industry. Strainprint is HIPAA, PIPEDA and PHIPA privacy compliant, military-grade encrypted and all patient data is completely anonymized and at rest in Canada. Strainprint can be seamlessly embedded or integrated with most electronic medical records (EMR) and seed2sale software systems. Strainprint Analytics is accessed by customer subscription. The Strainprint App is free to patients and can be downloaded from both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. www.strainprint.ca, facebook, twitter, linkedin. Strainprint Reports are available for purchase at https://strainprint.ca/strainprint-reports/.
B.C. Pharmacare Non-Medical Switch Policy: The Wrong Decision
Release of Legal/Ethics Review of Switch Policy
TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - British Columbia Pharmacare has announced a non-medical switch policy involving biosimilar drugs. The policy will switch patients using certain biologic drugs (Remicade®) to biosimilar versions within a six month timeframe. This will affect approximately 1,700 British Columbians (including children), though this number does not include those in British Columbia currently under compassionate use funded by the manufacturer who will also be affected.
"Crohn's and Colitis Canada understands the fiscal pressure on B.C. Pharmacare, but their non-medical switch policy is missing critical inputs from the patient and healthcare practitioner communities – and considering that they did not consult patient organizations, this is not surprising. The gap between this policy and patients' needs and concerns in particular is massive," says Mina Mawani, President and CEO of Crohn's and Colitis Canada. "Our position, based on extensive review and consultation, is that a non-medical switch is not in the best interest of patients – this should be a decision made by a physician and patient together. Minister Dix's cavalier statement that "there is reluctance in change" vastly understates patient and caregiver feedback. It is unfortunate that B.C. Pharmacare's policy is not patient-centred and rather focused on questionable savings."
Crohn's and Colitis Canada questions the B.C. Pharmacare decision when other viable options are available that do not affect patients currently well-managed on biologic treatment. "Cost savings do not have to be on the backs of vulnerable patients," says Ms. Mawani. "Some payers have found a way to both promote the uptake of biosimilars and also access savings from updated pricing of biologic treatment. The precedent has been set: this is patient-centred care – a non-medical switch is not necessary for the purpose of sustainability of healthcare in Canada."
Crohn's and Colitis Canada released their position on biosimilar drugs and in particular on non-medical switch policy together with a cross-Canada survey of healthcare providers, patients and caregivers on September 5, 2019. Released today is a legal/ethics review that assesses challenges in a Canadian legal, bioethical and policy context to further support the Crohn's and Colitis Canada position. World renowned leader in health law, ethics and science policy Dr. Tim Caulfield, an author of the paper says "The move from biologics to biosimilars can create real ethical and legal challenges for healthcare providers. Physicians have a legal and ethical obligation to put the interests of the patient first."
Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the world. Today, more than 33,000 British Columbians have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and this number is projected to climb significantly. Crohn's and Colitis Canada remains optimistic that a non-medical switch policy in British Columbia can be reconsidered to put patients' needs first. "We are hopeful that our evidence-informed position and the example from other payers will influence policy in British Columbia and remind healthcare decision makers of the importance of patient input," says Ms. Mawani. "Our focus is on the patient – their health and well-being is our priority."
ABOUT CROHN'S AND COLITIS CANADA Crohn's and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of everyone impacted by these diseases. We are the world's second largest health charity funder of Crohn's and colitis research, and our patient programs and advocacy efforts support the people affected by these chronic autoimmune diseases, which cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Visit crohnsandcolitis.ca for more information.
SOURCE Crohn's and Colitis Canada
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