Background: Geographic trends in antibiotic prescribing show regional variation in antibiotic overuse and antimicrobial resistance, posing a threat to global health care systems. This study's objective was to examine interprovincial variation in outpatient antibiotic dispensing in Canada in 2019.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of antibiotic prescriptions dispensed in Canadian provinces in 2019, leveraging the IQVIA Geographic Prescription Monitor database.
Background: Low-dose codeine products can be purchased without a prescription in most of Canada. We explored trends in the purchasing of these products across the Canadian provinces from 2014 to 2019, evaluating the impact of Health Canada's 2016 announcement of a proposed regulatory change and the 2017 opening of a 60-day public comment period, as well as the impact of Manitoba's 2016 policy change requiring a prescription for the purchase of all codeine products in that province.
Methods: We evaluated population-adjusted monthly purchasing of codeine products from January 2014 to October 2019 using the IQVIA Canadian Drug Store and Hospital Purchases Audit database, stratified by province and over-the-counter (OTC) status.
Background: On 1 November 2018, Choosing Wisely Canada launched their Using Antibiotics Wisely primary care campaign, which aimed to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) through educational tools for patients and providers.
Objectives: We explored the impact of this campaign on antibiotic utilization in Canada.
Methods: We conducted a population-based study in Canada between January 2015 and December 2019.
Purpose: Many individuals take multiple prescribed and unprescribed medications, also known as polypharmacy, which can be problematic. Improving medication self-management is important; however, most medication management frameworks focus on adherence and limit the integration of the core components of self-management. Therefore, the objective of this scoping review was to identify what is reported in the literature on medication management frameworks or models within the context of self-management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Ontario's Health Links approach to care is an integrated care model designed to optimize care for patients with complex needs. Currently, community pharmacists have no formalized role. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' perceptions about privacy and its impact on community pharmacists' involvement with integrated care models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Over the past several years, there has been more emphasis on integration within health care. Community pharmacy is often under-represented within integrated care models. This study explored stakeholder perceptions and enablers of including community pharmacy within an integrated care model.
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