Welcome back! 

MAID debates, medicine shortages, menopause plot twists, and a flu season jumping the gun — there’s lots to catch up on this week. 

Plus, stay tuned for Pulse Check’s this and that to round things out.

Let’s get into it.

An update on MAID for mental illness

Last week as we prepared to send out The Weekly Dose, word came that Justice Minister Sean Fraser was set to outline the next steps for MAID in Canada. Lo and behold, the next day, the federal government confirmed plans to indefinitely continue the ban on MAID for people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness — and there’s no shortage of opinions. 

While some, like André Picard, argue that excluding people with mental illness from MAID is discriminatory, others, like Chris Selley, are cautiously supportive of the government’s plan, provided it follows through on its commitments. 

And just when you didn’t think the MAID debate couldn’t get hotter: an MP is facing backlash over comments describing fentanyl as an alternative way to end one’s life. Read about it here. 

Canada is short on drugs 🔒

Canada is seeing a rise in drug shortages, and experts in this article are blaming its reliance on foreign suppliers for key ingredients. Shortages climbed 15 per cent in 2023-24, prompting calls for more domestic production and a more reliable supply chain.

The Canadian Medical Association says that when supply chains stumble, it’s the patients that end up feeling the pinch. And, as of Sept. 25, Canada is faced with six shortages, including an inhaler and an anti-gout medication. 

Alongside strengthening Canada’s ability to produce medicines, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s priorities this fall include connecting health data across provinces and men and boys' mental health. 

Remember that pneumonic plague case in Russia? Well another suspected case has been denied by the country’s public health dog, and experts, like scientist Devi Sridhar, are starting to worry. 

But before you panic, political scientist Gregory Koblentz breaks down the public health scare in this podcast. 

Menopause is having a moment — again 🔒

Last week’s Pulse Check revealed that the health of women with diabetes deteriorates after menopause, that The Menopause Foundation of Canada wants a national policy agency on menopause, and that women have a hard time talking about menopause with their doctors. 

Now, the plot thickens further: experts say menopause can leave women with dry, irritated eyes. An optometrist explains how hormonal changes may be to blame — and what can help bring some relief. 

But it’s not just dry eyes: hormonal changes, alongside sleep disruption and aging, all play a role in menopausal weight gain, too. And it doesn’t help that new research suggests menopause can accelerate aging, either. 

An early start to flu season

It’s harder to tell the flu, COVID, and RSV apart than you may think. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch says symptoms can overlap, making it tough to know which virus you have without testing. And with the flu season off to an early start, Bogoch says vaccination, staying home when sick and improving indoor air quality can help keep you — and those around you — healthier this fall. 

Want to know more about the flu, COVID, and RSV? Read this article. 

On top of the early flu season came another surprise: a new measles case in Montreal. Unsure about your measles immunity status? Here’s what to know. 

Pulse Check™

A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a few things worth knowing: 

💰This patient is facing a huge, unexpected bill to continue successful cancer treatment 🔒

💉Christa Pike survived 2 doses of execution drugs. How is that possible? 

🧬Is gene-editing embryos safe for healthier babies? This startup wants to prove so

🧪Doctors said he was too young to get a cancer test. So this Canadian developed one he could use at home

💊What you eat while taking this drug matters. Here’s how to avoid malnutrition 🔒

That's it for today. 

Thanks for reading. Have feedback, story tips, or an issue you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you. Until next week!

Canada Healthwatch
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