Last week, Michèle Boiron of Boiron Canada spoke at the Montreal Marriott Courtyard to more than 60 doctors and pharmacists from Montréal and Québec on the topic of “Homeopathic Medication: An Effective Treatment for Today’s Patient.” Following her presentation, she shared the Boiron family story and discussed her experiences as a pharmacist, including some of her past cases, with an audience of more than 150 attendees during an exclusive sit-down dinner.

An Evening of Discussion and Information-Sharing

This event was an opportunity for those involved in homeopathy – whether as pharmacists, practitioners, naturopaths, or homeopaths – to meet, develop knowledge and share interest in homeopathy. The event was also a reflection of the ever-increasing emphasis being placed on homeopathic medicine.

“Homeopathic medicine meets a growing need among health care practitioners and consumers, who are looking for effective, reliable health products,” explains Daniel Dereser, CEO of Boiron Canada. “We’re delighted to provide this opportunity for Michèle Boiron to share her extensive knowledge of homeopathy with Canadian health care professionals.”

Both talks were accompanied by fantastic live performances by painter Stéphane Lemardelé who has captivated audiences across Quebec and Montreal.

A new study out of Rwanda has found that taking a daily dose of selenium has extremely beneficial properties for HIV-positive individuals.

According to researchers, this is because selenium supplementation significantly reduces the rate of CD4 cell count decline. This type of white blood cell, which is crucial in protecting the body from infection, is attacked and destroyed by the HIV virus. When this occurs rapidly, the HIV progresses into full-blown AIDS.

The two-year randomized controlled trial involved the surveillance of 300 HIV+ patients who had not begun antiretroviral therapy (ART). The results showed a 48 per cent decrease in the rate of CD4 decline.

This could have massive implications for selenium-deficient Rwanda, in which, according to UNAIDS, 4,500 deaths occur per year due to AIDS related illnesses.

Dr. Don Warren, former director of research for the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), acted as a guide for the study. He notes that he had previously seen “remarkable results with routine daily selenium supplementation” in other selenium-deficient locales like the slums of Nairobi and Kenya.

“The outcome of this study could have significant positive impact in the early treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa and other affected areas,” adds Warren.

Moving forward, additional study will be required to see if similar benefit occurs for HIV-positive patients in regions with more selenium-rich soils.

Walmart has announced that its “click-and-collect” e-commerce grocery model will now be expanding to eight new cities, with additional markets to be revealed in the coming weeks.

“We’ve tested online grocery options—both pickup and delivery—in a handful of markets across the U.S.,” the company said in a post on its blog. “Each time we’ve added a new city, our customers begin using the service faster than they did in the previous one.”

The company says that service will launch this month in Atlanta; Charlotte and Fayetteville, North Carolina; Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah; Nashville; Tucson, Arizona and Colorado Springs.

“With 70 per cent of the U.S. population living within 5 miles of an existing Walmart store, this is an idea that simply makes sense for us,” says the company. “We have the locations already in place, and with our website and mobile app expertise, we’re able to combine those things in a way that helps our customers save time and still take advantage of our everyday low prices.”

Walmart notes that shoppers using the service in these cities can purchase their goods online, select a pickup time and then pull into designated parking areas where associates will load orders directly into their cars. Additionally, items purchased online are priced the same as those in stores and there are no extra fees attached to the service.

Vitality Product Inc.’s financial results for the second quarter show a net loss of $76,538 (or one cent per share), compared with a net loss of $51,195 (or zero dollars per share) for the same period last year.

Additionally, the company’s general and administrative expenses during this time increased to $93,127—compared to 2014’s $55,984—primarily due to its efforts to improve sales.

Sales for this period also increased to $24,710, as compared to $6,983 at the same time last year.

The company’s condensed interim financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis for this quarter are available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

UCLA MDChat Webinars offer the latest information on advances and treatments from expert physicians at UCLA. Their live-streaming webinars give you the opportunity to learn and to also ask questions.

What You Need to Know About Vaginal Mesh for Female Pelvic Surgery – September 30, 2015
Join UCLA urologist Ja-Hong Kim, MD, as she discusses the use of vaginal mesh to treat female pelvic floor conditions, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapsed.

Virtual Colonography for Colon Cancer Screening – October 7, 2015
Join UCLA radiologist Daniel Margolis, MD, as he discusses virtual colonography as an alternative to colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. He will discuss appropriate candidates and the pros and cons of virtual colonography.

Chronic Pain, Heroin, and the US Epidemic of Opioid Abuse – October 14, 2015
Join UCLA addiction and internal medicine Keith Heinzerling, MD, as he discusses how patients are turning to heroin after becoming addicted to prescription opioids. He will describe the treatments available for opioid addiction, including how to prevent addiction in patients with chronic pain.

The Modern Approach to Facial Aesthetics and Rejuvenation – October 21, 2015
UCLA plastic surgeon Jason Roostaeian, MD, will discuss the latest techniques in facial aesthetic surgery and rejuvenation that give real results without losing one’s natural appearance.

Bone Health and Hyperparathyroidism – October 28, 2015
Join UCLA endocrine surgeons Michael Yeh, MD, and Masha Livhits, MD, as they discuss hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands), the role of parathyroid glands in regulating calcium levels, and treatments that can help maintain bone health.

The Council for the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) has chosen Esmail Merani, R.Ph as president, and Regis Vaillancourt, R.Ph as vice-president for the 2015-2016 Council year. Both Merani and Vaillancourt will serve a one-year term from September 2015 to September 2016.

Merani has been a pharmacist for the last 42 years and co-owns four pharmacies in the Ottawa area as well as manages a pharmacy in Carleton Place. He has worked in pharmacies in Coburg, North Bay and Exeter. Merani obtained a B.Pharm from Robert Gordon University in Scotland, UK in 1973 and a Pharm.D from Shenandoah University in Virginia, USA in 2008. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Carleton Place Memorial Hospital. Merani joined College Council in 2010 and has served on various committees including Accreditation, Finance and Audit, Professional Practice, Executive, Registration, and the Inquiries, Complaints & Reports Committee (ICRC).

“I’m really looking forward to the great work to be done at the College this year,” says Merani. “I am motivated and will be counting on the expertise of my fellow Council members as we continue to develop capacity in overseeing hospital pharmacies, establish a new Code of Ethics, remain committed to our efforts to increase transparency, and most importantly, protect the public.”

Vaillancourt is a hospital pharmacist from the Ottawa area and is currently the Director of Pharmacy at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). He obtained a B.Pharm from Universté Laval, and a Pharm.D from the University of Toronto. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Canadian Armed Forces and was awarded the Order of Military Merit by former Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson. Vaillancourt joined College Council in 2012 and has served on various committees including Accreditation, Drug Preparation Premises, Executive, Fitness to Practise and Patient Relations.

“The College is fortunate to have Esmail and Regis leading Council for the year ahead,” says College Registrar, Marshall Moleschi. “They are both knowledgeable and skilled in their fields, and have a strong understanding of the College’s mandate to protect the public. I’m sure they will confidently lead Council in their fulfillment of the Strategic Framework.”

The OAND 2015 Convention and Tradeshow, Maximizing the Power of the Mind in Total Wellness: Mind/Body Medicine, Disease Management and TreatmentAlternatives, took place on September 25-27, 2015 at The Toronto Congress Centre.

Look for more pictures in IHP October issue.

UCLA MDChat Webinars offer the latest information on advances and treatments from expert physicians at UCLA. Their live-streaming webinars give you the opportunity to learn and to also ask questions.

More information on upcoming webinars and how to register here.