By Deron Hamel Although a multifaceted effort is underway to end a severe shortage of divalproex sodium (Epival), a commonly used anti-seizure drug, the anxiety created by the limited amount of the lifesaving medication lingers, says Lynda Bowyer. Bowyer, whose 21-year-old daughter takes Epival to control her seizures, says this is the first time her…
By Deron Hamel Epilepsy Ontario is embarking on an outreach strategy with first responders to build relationships between epilepsy support agencies and police, firefighters and paramedic teams to create training opportunities and encourage appropriate responses to people who may have had a seizure. The first step in this process is gathering people’s stories – both…
By Deron Hamel Purple Day is just around the corner, and one nine-year-old girl and her mother in a small northern Ontario community are gearing up for their annual drive to raise epilepsy awareness. For the past few years, Grade 4 student Miah Wheadon and her mother, Gina, have approached local businesses in Manitouwadge, Ont.…
By Deron Hamel Stakeholders would be better positioned to offer solutions to prevent medication shortages if pharmaceutical companies provided public explanations about why shortages happen, says Suzanne Nurse, Epilepsy Ontario’s director of information and client services. Following public consultation in 2014, the Canadian government announced it would be mandating the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturers to publicly…
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