News, Events, and Current Issues

Upcoming Conferences

A listing of conferences that may be of interest to Renal Pharmacists.

Canadian Society of Nephrology release the update on their previous recommendations on Eprex and PRCA (January 21, 2003)

Canadian Society of Nephrology released their recommendations on Eprex and PRCA

The CSN Executive formed an Ad Hoc committee to review the current problem regarding Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) associated with erythropoietic substances. The following letter summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the Ad Hoc committee regarding this clinical problem.

The following document contains the full letter:

Congratulations! - Technological Innovation Award

This web site was nominated and won the 2001 Commitment to Care Award for Technological Innovation. These awards are sponsored by Pharmacy Practice and various drug companies. The winners for each category are shown in the November 2001 issue of Pharmacy Practice.

Calcium Acetate

Calcium acetate, a phosphate binder, was distributed in Canada by Stanley Pharmaceuticals. In the Summer of 2001, Stanley was taken over by Vita Health. For reasons as yet unknown, Vita Health has not taken over the distribution of Calcium Acetate in Canada. This has left a large hole in the phosphate binder armamentarium. The current options seem to be Calcium carbonate (in various chewable tabs and swallow tabs), Amphogel and Sevalamer. Some Renal programs have been shipping Calcium acetate into Canada from the USA via the Special Access Program. The problem is that the third party coverage of a US product is usually impossible requiring patients to pay out of pocket for Calcium Acetate.

If you are interested in lobbying a few drug companies to convince them to obtain the Canadian distribution rights for Calcium acetate please email Brenda Bruinooge (bbruinooge@yorkcentral.on.ca). If you have any comments or concerns about this, feel free to post a message on our discussion forum. If you are interested in getting the phone number for the US based Braintree laboratories, please email Brenda (bbruinooge@yorkcentral.on.ca).

Diavite / Replavite

Replavite is back!

Replavite is back on the market as of December 5, 2001. Prices have not changed for bottles of 100 tablets.

What is the difference?

The difference between Diavite and Replavite is that Replavite has an additional 40mg of vitamin C in it. The extra 40mg probably makes very little, if any, clinical difference. Diabetics, smokers, elderly and malnourished patients may even benefit from a little more Vitamin C.

Note: there is a comparison chart of all the renal vitamins available in Canada in the Spring 2002 edition of the RPN newsletter