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British Columbia
BC won't pay for
Hep B meds
VICTORIA
— The East
Asian community in BC is up in arms over the province's
refusal to pay for a new and dear treatment for chronic
hepatitis B, adefovir dipivoxil, marketed as Hepsera.
Hepatitis B, while often transmitted through sexual
contact or by needle sharing within the general population,
disproportionally afflicts the Chinese Canadian community
at birth. Health Minister George Abbott yesterday said
the decision not to fund the drug was made on a "scientific
basis," but will consider critical evidence presented
by physicians. LD
Alberta
Stripped-down formulary
expos�
EDMONTON —
An Edmonton mother, Nicole Miranda, has found a novel
way to help pay for a $1-million-a-year drug therapy
for her three terminally ill sons who suffer from Hunter
syndrome. Ms Miranda has accepted an offer from an exotic
dance troupe called Showgirls, who are set to perform
a three-day charity strip-a-thon. "Regular Albertans
have stepped up to help and the government, who has
the money, is just sitting back," she told the Edmonton
Sun. The charity event will take place at Showgirls
clubs in Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Edmonton
in mid-May. GE
Saskatchewan
Budget boost for
doctor pay
REGINA —
The Easter Bunny came a little early for Saskatchewanians
as the NDP government announced an 8.6% healthcare spending
increase which amounts to an extra $274 million. Of
this, $112.5 million will be allocated to cover salaries
and fees for physicians, nurses and other health professionals.
Additionally, there'll be funding for more hip and knee
replacements and MRI scans. And there's funding for
a plan that ensures seniors pay no more than $15 for
prescription drugs listed on the provincial formulary.
TJ
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Manitoba
Docs look gift
horse in mouth
WINNIPEG —
Greg Dobar of Oakbank was vexed with the processing
time of the blood test results required to monitor his
heart condition, and thought he found a perfect solution.
During a cross-border trip to the Mayo Clinic, Mr Dobar
got to use the CoaguChek machine, which can deliver
results for the same test in seconds. He liked it so
much he decided to buy one for his city. However, when
he showed up at his local clinic with a machine he wanted
to donate, doctors said "thanks, but no thanks." Dr
Bill Pope of the Manitoba College of Physician and Surgeons
told the CBC that docs are so busy treating folks that
it makes more sense to send blood tests out. For now,
Mr Dobar is keeping the machine at home. HA
Ontario
MDs support Liberal
healthcare plan
TORONTO —
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) has given its
blessing to the Liberals' 2007 Ontario Budget, albeit
with some reservations. The OMA lauds the provincial
Wait Time Strategy (WTS) and the Liberals' decision
to include pediatric surgeries. The professional association
is deeply concerned, however, with the physician shortage.
"These funding commitments represent positive steps
towards improving patient care in a number of important
areas, but they all hinge on having enough doctors to
be realized," said OMA President Dr David Bach in a
press release. JJM
Hot
Spot
Quebec
Doctor broker under
investigation
MONTREAL —
Fresh from an election, the Liberals, ADQ and PQ, while
at odds on myriad issues, are unanimous in their discomfort
regarding the exploits of Medecina, a Montreal company
which helps patients get specialist appointments, reports
Le Devoir. The company, which is described as an online
MD brokerage, is currently under investigation by the
Quebec health insurance agency RAMQ and the provincial
College of Physicians. Medecina charges a fee of about
$300 for its services and relies mostly on private-sector
physicians, but also looks for openings from cancelled
appointments with specialists working in the public
system. DB
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