Category Archive

Seizures in Children

EpLink survey will help steer research in the direction people with epilepsy want

July 7, 2016

By Deron Hamel EpLink, the epilepsy research program of the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI), is hoping to garner as much feedback as possible through a survey to help the organization prioritize research. The survey is aimed at people living with epilepsy, their families and those working at epilepsy support agencies. EpLink’s No. 1 priority is…

Epilepsy Ontario retreat focuses on helping agencies build capacity

June 16, 2016

A recent retreat hosted by Epilepsy Ontario for community-based epilepsy agencies was aimed at building knowledge capacity for executive directors and staff members throughout the province. The retreat, which was funded by the Trillium Foundation of Ontario and held June 6-8 in Innisfil, Ont., brought together representatives from 11 of the 14 agencies Epilepsy Ontario…

Gov’t needs to take a proactive response to stem drug shortages: Epilepsy Ontario

May 19, 2016

By Deron Hamel One of the greatest frustrations Epilepsy Ontario deals with during shortages of seizure-control medications is when impending drug shortages are identified but Health Canada and the provincial drug programs do nothing to try to prevent them, says Suzanne Nurse. Nurse, Epilepsy Ontario’s director of information and client services, says that 2016 has…

Divalproex sodium shortage expected to end soon, but that doesn’t curb family’s anxiety

March 17, 2016

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…