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Capsule moments

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Canada.  One in seven Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime making it the most common cancer in men.  The good news is that deaths from this cancer have dropped by about 40% over the past 20 years but in 2017, an estimated 4100 men died from the disease.  Make it your goal to educate yourself about this disease.

Glaucoma, a condition of increased pressure within the eye is treated successfully with eye drops.  These drops must be used regularly.   Researchers at UBC in Vancouver are combining a hydrogel containing nanoparticles of a cannabis compound which when instilled at bedtime in the eye forms a thin cover over the eye which dissolves slowly through the night.  Still in the experimental stage but looks promising.

A new drug designed to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches has been developed.  It’s the first of its kind.  Current drug therapy is used once the headache begins.  This new one prevents it from occurring. Migraines are very debilitating for many Canadians.  This new drug (erenumab) is currently under review at Health Canada but has been released in the U.S.

Everyone forgets to take their prescribed medications now and then but it happens less often when people truly understand what the benefits of the medications are and how they work in the body.  For example, if you know the daily cholesterol-lowering drug you’re taking will reduce the risk of life-threatening heart disease, you might be more likely to take it regularly.  Pharmacists can help in your understanding of the drugs you are taking.