THE PULSE OF THE PLANET
People taking Eli Lilly’s obesity drug, Zepbound, lost nearly 50 per cent more weight than those using rival Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in the first head-to-head study of the blockbuster medications. Clinical trial participants who took tirzepatide, the drug sold as Zepbound, lost an average of 50 pounds over 72 weeks, while those who took semaglutide,…
Descrease article font size Increase article font size Some radon gas detectors sold on Amazon may not accurately measure gas levels, potentially putting users at risk, Health Canada has warned. On Wednesday, Health Canada issued a recall for radon gas detectors sold online, including the Boyd Gresham ‘Toolhome’ Radon Detector and the Funny Kitchen Home…
JAMP Pharma Corp., a Quebec pharmaceutical maker, is recalling one lot of JAMP-Pregabalin pain medicine because bottles labelled to contain 50-milligram capsules may contain 150-milligram capsules instead. Health Canada announced the recall in an unusual Saturday evening statement. The announcement said the company’s mix-up could lead to patients taking a much larger dose of the…
By Nicole Ireland The Canadian Press Posted May 5, 2025 7:25 am Updated May 5, 2025 7:26 am 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size A new study says visits to emergency departments for asthma spiked during a first wave of unprecedented wildfire smoke in 2023, but patient numbers returned to…
Tim Friede has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times — often on purpose. Now scientists are studying his blood in hopes of creating a better treatment for snake bites. Friede has long had a fascination with reptiles and other venomous creatures. He used to milk scorpions’ and spiders’ venom as a hobby and kept dozens of snakes at his Wisconsin home. Hoping to protect himself…
Warning: This story contains sensitive subject matter. Discretion is advised. The wife of a man who sought assisted death following a disastrous emergency room stay in Quebec is accusing the healthcare system of negligence. On Monday, Sylvie Brosseau spoke publicly as a coroner’s inquiry began into the death of her longtime partner, Normand Meunier, who…
As weight-loss injectables like Ozempic skyrocket in popularity, a new offshoot trend is starting to take hold: microdosing. Instead of following the standard dosing guidelines, some people are experimenting with smaller amounts of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. The reasons vary — from trying to stretch out expensive prescriptions to avoiding the side…
There is no evidence to support claims of a mystery brain disease in New Brunswick, says a new study that suggests the media may have played a role in feeding patients’ fears. Published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Neurology, the study reviewed the cases of 25 patients evaluated at two hospitals in New Brunswick and Ontario and found their symptoms could be traced back to several known neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative conditions. “Unfounded concerns that a…
As the NHL playoffs heat up and three Canadian teams chase the Stanley Cup, fans across the country are riding an emotional roller-coaster — screaming at their televisions, biting their nails and in some cases, clutching their chests. But could the stress of playoff hockey be doing more than just fraying nerves? Could it actually…
Canada has held measles elimination status for nearly 30 years — but that could be gone by the fall. If the current outbreaks keep growing the way they have been, Canada could lose that status by October 2025, according to a recent risk update from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). “It is a…
