At this year’s Canadian Pharmacists Conference, industry leaders will discuss the misuse of opioids, medically assisted dying, and immunization rates. The conference will be jointly presented by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA).

The conference theme, titled The Future is Here, highlights Canada’s position as a world leader in advanced pharmacy practice. This year’s theme and location reflect the role of pharmacists in relation to patient care.

“The conference program has been designed to showcase innovative pharmacy leaders and provide delegates with learning opportunities on the critical topics facing our health care system today,” says Carlo Berardi, Chair of CPhA. “Speakers and conference sessions will tackle a diverse range of key subjects and highlight the growing opportunities for advanced pharmacy practice across the country.”

Issues to be covered at the conference include:
• Assisted Dying – The issue of medical assistance in dying has been a hotly debated topic within the healthcare community and with the general public. Participants will hear from panelists who will explore issues that are particularly relevant to the profession, including practice, legal and ethical considerations.
• Medical Marijuana – In an environment with a changing regulatory framework, medical marijuana is a topic of increasing significance in Canada. This session will address various issues related to the pharmacology of medical marijuana to enhance pharmacists’ understanding and ability to respond to related queries.
• Opioid Addiction and Inappropriate Use – As media attention on opioid use and addiction continues, pharmacists are among those who are often consulted on this widely discussed issue. This session is aimed to equip pharmacists with the most up-to-date information on opioids.

“This year’s conference is truly a reflection of changing times as it not only explores relevant topics, but also presents new platforms and formats that will enable delegates to identify and apply best practices and lessons from dozens of top health care leaders,” says Jimy Mathews, president of RxA. “The conference will certainly go a long way in sharing valuable information that will ultimately benefit the patients who turn to their pharmacists for health care services and advice each and every day across Canada.”

The conference will be held in Calgary, Alberta from June 24-27 and will feature more than 50 sessions during the four-day period. The conference will welcome keynote speaker Chris Hadfield, first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, and Michele Romanov, Canadian tech entrepreneur and the newest member of CBC’s Dragon’s Den panel. This year, live streaming of the keynote sessions and several CE sessions will be available for viewing. Visit pharmacists.ca/conference for more details.

On July 1—Friday—labelling changes for children’s homeopathic cough, cold and flu products will be put into place by Health Canada. This change will directly affect homeopathic and natural health retailers that stock these goods, as they will need to be removed from shelves.

The Canadian Homeopathic Pharmaceutical Association (CHPA) issued a response to this change, calling it a “very serious mistake.” Now, the organization is considering its next moves.

“CHPA started meeting three days ago and we are going to send a new proposal to Health Canada to reach a fair agreement between Health Canada and the industry, and of course the consumer,” says Pascal Frochisse, president of Distripharm, Inc. “The first thing we ask is to postpone these deadlines because it will be impossible for the industry to be in compliance. I think we will able to maintain some indications, but we will have avoid words like ‘treat’ and ‘cure’.”

“I’m very concerned to learn that the implementation of these changes will proceed, as I am quite sure that the drug options available for families will decrease,” adds Yvan Bourgault, co-owner of Homéopathie Quebec. “Homeopathic medication offers a great alternative that is effective and is appreciated by many parents, and this will restrict their options.”

However, Health Canada is still dead-set on its decision.

“Labelling changes for children’s cough, cold and flu homeopathic products were introduced to help Canadians who choose to use homeopathic products have the information they need for their safe use. Health Canada is concerned that many consumers do not understand the philosophy underlying homeopathy, nor are they necessarily receiving advice about their use from a health care practitioner,” says André Gagnon, Media Relations Officer for Health Canada. “However, they see similar packaging and marketing of homeopathic and non-prescription drug products, which can lead to confusion if they conclude that homeopathic products are similar to or the same as health products with scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.”

“That is why the Department has requested companies to no longer make specific health claims for cough, cold, and flu on homeopathic products for children 12 years old and under, unless those claims are supported by modern scientific evidence. Health Canada is working with the homeopathic products industry to provide Canadians with clear information on the product label of homeopathic cough and cold products so that they can safely select products for their children. The industry has until July 31, 2016, to make changes to existing labels.”

Ensure that you have made the proper changes to your stock before this date.

According to a new study out of the University of Florida, adding a nutrition label to packages of raw seafood may increase consumers’ motivation to buy.

Researchers note that while the USDA has required nutrition labels for raw meat and poultry since 2012, packages of was fish are exempt. During their study, they surveyed 1,000 parents with children living at home, asking them whether nutrition labels on seafood would better convince them to purchase the product.

The survey found that adding labels led to a greater willingness to pay for all types of seafood, while general health benefits only boosted the appeal of some types. It also showed that 80 per cent of respondents chose seafood for a family meal because of taste, followed by nutrition, variety, price, fat content, calories, and prep time.

“Though respondents understand the nutritional benefits of seafood and would choose seafood for health and nutritional benefits, some of them still deep-fry their seafood,” says Xiang Bi, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Studies assistant professor and one of the study’s authors. “Light seafood consumers, particularly, do not want to prepare seafood at home.”

As a grocer, consider the ways in which you can better market your seafood selection. Highlight simple, healthful recipes involving these products that your customers can make at home, and advertise the health benefits—and nutritional content—of your raw seafood products in order to inspire consumers’ purchases.

Natural Factors has announced the release of a new line of Big Friends children’s vitamins.

Included in the new launch are:

1546 – Chewable Vitamin D3

Big Friends children’s vitamins are back in a big way, and now better than ever. Big Friends Chewable Vitamin D3 400 IU from Natural Factors is a great-tasting, natural source of the “sunshine vitamin”, essential for building strong, healthy bones and teeth. Ideal for all children, these small, chewable tablets support calcium and phosphorus absorption, and make it fun and easy to support growing children.

1545 – Liquid Vitamin D3

Big Friends children’s vitamins are back in a big way, and now better than ever. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the most bioavailable form of this essential nutrient needed for children to build healthy bones and teeth. Big Friends Liquid Vitamin D3 400 IU has a baby-safe shaker cap for accurate dosing, and is a neutral-tasting formula ideal for all children, even infants.

1851 – Powder Multiprobiotic

Big Friends children’s vitamins are back in a big way, and now better than ever. Big Friends Powder Multiprobiotic from Natural Factors contains 3 billion active cells of seven bacteria species. Each strain is specifically cultured to meet the needs of children in a ratio that reflects their natural intestinal flora. Simply mix into favourite drinks or sprinkle onto cereal, fruits, or yogurt.

1395 – Chewable Vitamin C

Big Friends children’s vitamins are back in a big way, and now better than ever. Big Friends Chewable Vitamin C from Natural Factors is a fun and delicious way for children to keep their antioxidant intake up and their bones, cartilage, teeth, and gums healthy. Children love the tangy orange flavour, while the naturally low acid content protects teeth and tummies.

1549 – Chewable Multivitamin & Minerals

Big Friends children’s vitamins are back in a big way, and now better than ever. Big Friends Chewable Multivitamin & Minerals provides children three years and older with optimal amounts of the vitamins and minerals their bodies need for good health. Whole food concentrates from Factors Farms supply phytonutrients, while delicious fruit flavours and friendly dinosaur shapes keep little ones smiling.

The Big Carrot, a health food retailer on Toronto’s Danforth Avenue, is now expanding into a second location on Kingston Road, where it will be the flagship retailer in a condo development.

The new 6,300-square-foot store is going into the six-storey Southwood project by Streetcar Developments.

“It was just time for us to expand outside this community,” says Big Carrot spokesperson Sarah Dobec of the new location. “The east end is just a perfect distance from where we are now in a really thriving community. The Beach is growing all the time. Kingston Rd. in particular is really growing.”

The Big Carrot Natural Food Market retails vegetarian and vegan organic, gluten-free and non-GMO foods. The new shop is expected to open late 2017, and will combine the existing location’s grocery section, holistic dispensary and juice bar, which are currently situated in three separate spaces on the Danforth’s Carrot Common.

Additionally, Dolbec notes that the new store will feature a similar courtyard experience with some seating and a waiting area for dogs. It will also operate under the same worker-owner structure as the original Big Carrot, which allows workers to take shares in the business and discuss how it is run.

LeBeau Advance has enthusiastically announced that Deborah Murdoch has been promoted to Eastern Sales Manager. A familiar force in the industry, Murdoch looks forward to continue the positive momentum she has given in her previous role.

LeBeau Excel Ltd. is a family focused company that specializes in complete management of the Canadian market for natural food product manufacturers, natural HABA manufacturers and NHP manufacturers.

Suro has recently release Chaga extract as part of their product line. Chaga is a mushroom that grows on birch trees and much resembles bark.

It is known for its immuno-modulating properties and many studies have demonstrated its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Suro’s new Chago Extract is made with wild Canadian chaga and is available in two sizes, 59ml or 118ml. The extract has a 1:1 dual extraction, which is equivalent to 1000mg of chaga per 1ml. This dual extraction method ensures that you get the most benefits that chaga has to offer.

SURO is a Canadian company dedicated to making quality natural products which promote health using Canadian natural plants and chaga mushroom.