Navigating the Complexity of Low Back Pain and Fibromyalgia
When a patient presents with persistent pain, the diagnostic path is rarely a straight line. Low back pain and fibromyalgia are frequent presentations in Canadian primary care, yet they remain some of the most challenging to manage. Both conditions carry a heavy burden, often impacting a patient’s mental well-being and functional capacity long before they […]
GERD Management: Why a Personalized Approach is Key
For many patients, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is much more than a bit of occasional heartburn. In Canada, about five million people deal with symptoms like acid regurgitation at least once a week. Because it can mess with everything from a good night’s sleep to a simple dinner out, managing it effectively means looking beyond […]
Safe Medication Use for Older Adults with CVD
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the global leader in mortality, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives annually—nearly twice as many as cancer. As our population ages, the stakes only get higher. By 2030, 20% of the world’s population will be 65 or older, and for those over 70, the prevalence of CVD jumps to a staggering […]
When Antidepressants Stall: Navigating the ‘Non-Response’
In depression management, the four-week follow-up is usually the moment of truth. But clinical reality shows us that if a patient hasn’t had a meaningful response by then, that specific medication is unlikely to suddenly start working. So, what’s actually happening? Traditionally, we’ve called this treatment-resistant depression (TRD) — defined as failing two or more […]
Menopause and Memory: Is it “Brain Fog” or Something More?
“I just can’t find my keys,” “I walked into the room and forgot why I’m here,” or “I feel like I’m looking at the world through a veil.” If you hear these frustrations from your midlife patients, you aren’t alone. For a long time, cognitive complaints during the menopausal transition were dismissed as “just stress” […]
Beyond Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes management has evolved. It’s no longer just about controlling blood sugar — cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease are now front and centre. For adults with diabetes who have kidney issues or elevated cardiovascular risk, focusing on these outcomes can make a meaningful difference Modern management involves a combination of approaches. Clinicians […]
CVD Risk in Older Adults: What Clinicians Need to Know
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading driver of global mortality, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives every year. While we often focus on prevention in middle age, the clinical reality is that age is the most significant non-modifiable risk factor. In fact, 70% of individuals over the age of 70 will develop some form of […]
Managing Acute Cough in Pharmacy Practice
We’ve all seen it: a patient walks into the pharmacy, looking exhausted, and heads straight for the cough and cold aisle. With dozens of bottles promising “maximum strength” relief, it’s no wonder they often feel overwhelmed. Acute cough — usually defined as lasting less than three weeks — is a common reason people seek a […]
Iron Deficiency in Practice: What Every Clinician Should Know
When a patient walks into a clinic describing low mood or feeling stressed, the initial clinical thought often leans toward depression or burnout. However, it is frequently worth considering a much more common biological factor: iron deficiency. In Canada, iron deficiency affects over 2 million people. While anyone can suffer from it, the condition is […]
Infant Digestion SOS: Practical Solutions for Reflux, Gas, and Constipation
Digestive issues are incredibly common in infants. From birth to six months, roughly one in twelve babies shows signs of a functional gastrointestinal disorder. The most frequent challenges? Reflux, gassiness, and constipation. While gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects less than one per cent of infants, it can cause more severe symptoms such as recurrent vomiting, […]
Implementing NK3 Antagonists in Clinical Practice
Neurokinin 3 (NK3) antagonists are a new class of medications designed to manage vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, associated with menopause. Unlike hormone therapy, NK3 antagonists work by modulating the neurokinin-3 receptors involved in the body’s thermoregulation, offering an alternative for patients who cannot or prefer not to use estrogen-based […]
Optimizing PBC Management: What Clinicians Need to Know
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare, chronic autoimmune cholestatic liver disease affecting roughly 318,000 Canadians. While it primarily impacts middle-aged and older women, incidence among younger men is increasing, narrowing the historical gender gap. Prevalence varies regionally, highest in the Atlantic provinces and lowest in Ontario, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental […]
Atopic Dermatitis: Myth Busters and Dispelling Misinformation
Atopic dermatitis (AD), often called eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting millions of Canadians. It’s characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin that can significantly impact quality of life. While AD can affect anyone, it commonly starts in childhood and may persist into adulthood. Despite multiple treatment options—like topical corticosteroids, moisturizers, and newer […]
Harness rtCGM to Transform Diabetes Management
Diabetes continues to be one of the biggest health challenges in Canada, with thousands of new diagnoses every year. For pharmacists, real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) is changing the game. By measuring glucose in interstitial fluid and transmitting data continuously to a device, rtCGM gives patients, and their healthcare teams, instant insights into glucose trends […]
Creating a Safety Net in Busy Pharmacies
Medication safety came under significant strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental distractions increased dramatically—phones ringing with vaccination questions, higher walk-in volume, staffing pressures, and constant multitasking. Together, these factors contributed to a rise in medication errors and highlighted vulnerabilities in everyday pharmacy workflows. Environmental distractions remain a key risk factor. Interruptions during dispensing, verification, and […]
Making Sense of Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the most challenging complications of cirrhosis, affecting patients’ cognitive function and quality of life while driving frequent hospital readmissions. For clinicians managing these complex patients, understanding HE’s presentation, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment approaches is essential to improving outcomes. What is HE? HE is a neuropsychiatric complication of liver dysfunction. […]
IMD Can Strike Fast—Here’s Why MenACWY Vaccines Matter
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is rare but extremely fast-moving and potentially fatal, often striking within 24–48 hours of symptom onset. Early signs, like fever, irritability, headache, or flu-like symptoms, can easily be dismissed, especially in adolescents and adults. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms emerge: hemorrhagic rash, neck stiffness, photophobia, delirium, or even sudden […]
Understanding Women’s Hormonal Health—And Why It Deserves a Bigger Spotlight
Hormones influence nearly every aspect of a woman’s health, including skin, hair, mood, cognition, reproductive function, and overall well-being. And changes in hormone levels occur at every stage of life and can present with a wide range of symptoms that clinicians need to recognize and manage. Across a woman’s lifespan: Understanding the physiological mechanisms behind […]
Optimizing Acute Pain Management: What Every Clinician Should Know
If you’re treating patients with acute pain, you know how tricky it can be to balance effective relief with medication safety. Despite how common pain presentations are in primary care, acute pain management often falls short. Many patients rely only on over-the-counter (OTC) products without understanding the risks, while others are over- or undertreated due […]
GSM in Menopausal Women: What to Know
If you’re seeing patients with vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, or recurrent UTIs, there’s a good chance GSM is in the picture, even if it’s not making it into your notes. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) affects up to 80% of postmenopausal women, yet it remains one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in primary care and […]
Navigating Vaccine Fatigue: Strategies for Pharmacists to Boost COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake
As we approach the Fall 2025-2026 immunization season, pharmacists across Canada face a crucial challenge: navigating vaccine fatigue to ensure robust COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Despite the proven effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing severe outcomes, uptake for subsequent doses has been significantly lower compared to initial doses. This presents a vital opportunity for pharmacists to […]
CKD and Cardiovascular Risk in T2D: What Pharmacists Need to Know
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are among the most serious complications faced by people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Not only do these conditions significantly increase morbidity and mortality, they also amplify the complexity of diabetes management. For pharmacists, staying updated on the latest evidence-based interventions and recommendations is essential to optimize […]
Beyond the Annual Shot: Why Enhanced Flu Vaccines are a Game-Changer for Older Adults
Influenza continues to pose a significant health threat, particularly for older adults. This vulnerable population faces a disproportionately higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and mortality from influenza infection. Understanding the unique challenges and the most effective strategies for prevention and control is crucial for pharmacists, who are at the forefront of patient care during […]
A New Era for Pharmacist Learning Begins Now
Pharmacists are making an even greater impact in healthcare today. With growing physician shortages and extended emergency room (ER) wait times, the demand for accessible, high-quality patient care continues to rise. Right now, more than six million Canadians don’t have regular access to a family doctor, and nearly 1 in 7 ER visits are for […]