Works to highlight and validate consumer experiences and heighten consumer involvement in adverse drug reaction reporting. Aims to facilitate networking among individual patients/consumers and advocacy groups who share our concerns about the lack of adequate post-market monitoring by the pharmaceutical industry and Health Canada. Also aims to raise public awareness about the role of consumers/patients in reporting their own adverse drug reactions - or those experienced by their children, a spouse, a brother or sister, or a parent. Teaches people how to report an ADR, how to encourage others to report, and what role ADR reporting has played or can play to help ensure the medicine we take is right for us.
Presents the results of a survey where Canadians were asked to give their views and opinions on the effectiveness of Health Canada's methods to communicate health product safety information.
Examines what features of a web site get noticed when people evaluated credibility. Finds that the "design look" of a site is mentioned most frequently, followed by information structure and information focus. Discusses reasons for the prominence of design look and interprets the findings.
Assesses websites, covering information on health conditions, financial products, and prices for travel and consumer good, using criteria to measure credibility. Reveals that consumers need to exercise caution when using the Internet as a source of information.
Focuses on the protection and promotion of consumers' interests worldwide through institution building, education, research and lobbying of international decision-making bodies.
Provides useful, objective information to the public and policymakers and to conduct research on food, alcohol, health, the environment, and other issues related to science and technology. Represents the American citizen’s interests before regulatory, judicial and legislative bodies on food, alcohol, health, the environment, and other issues. Ensures that science and technology are used for the public good and to encourage scientists to engage in public-interest activities.
Provides expertise and coordination for public involvement activities in the Health Products and Food Branch. // Fournit expertise et services de coordination pour les activités de participation du public au sein de la Direction générale des produits de santé et des aliments.
Internal Notes :
<p>url (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/ocapi-bpcp/) does not appear valid multiple languages found - // in abstract</p>
09/01/09-Tanya-RC-fixed broken link-An English version and translation needs to be set up.
Summarizes findings of a report, "Drugs in the News," that found that newspaper articles more often emphasize the benefits of new drugs, while little attention is paid to possible harms. Includes a listing of known risks of new prescription drugs that are not listed in media reports, such as drug indications and contraindications, clinical benefits and harms, costs, etc.
