Winter 2009 - Association of Ontario Midwives

Consumer ResourcesHealth Canada to ban BPAThe Government of Canadaannounced it will immediatelyproceed with drafting regulations toprohibit the importation, sale andadvertising of polycarbonate babybottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA).The Government will also take actionto limit the amount of bisphenolA that is being released into theenvironment.“In 2007, we issued a challengeto industry under our ChemicalsManagement Plan to provideinformation on how they managebisphenol A,” said the HonourableTony Clement, Minister of Health.“Today’s announcement is a milestonefor our government and for Canada asthe first country in the world to takeregulatory action.”It was determined that the mainsources of exposure for newborns andinfants are through the use of polycarbonatebaby bottles when they areexposed to high temperatures and themigration of bisphenol A from cansinto infant formula.The scientists concluded in thisassessment that bisphenol A exposureto newborns and infants is belowlevels that cause effects; however,due to the uncertainty raised in somestudies relating to the potentialeffects of low levels of bisphenol A,the Government of Canada is takingaction to enhance the protection ofinfants and young children.The Government has allocated anadditional $1.7 million over the nextthree years to fund research projectson bisphenol A. This research, inaddition to major studies currentlyunderway at Health Canada andEnvironment Canada, will help toaddress key knowledge gaps andinform Government decision-makingshould further actions be required.The proposed risk managementapproach will be followed by a 60-dayconsultation period. Regulations areexpected to come into effect in 2009.For more information, visit theChemicals Management website atwww.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/challenge-defi/bisphenol-a_e.html or call the information line at1-866-891-4542.Cough and cold medicine not for children under sixHealth Canada is requiring manufacturersto relabel over-the-counter cough and coldmedicines with certain active ingredientsto indicate that they should not be used inchildren under 6.Although cough and cold medicines havebeen used by children for many years,there is limited evidence supporting theireffectiveness in this group. In addition,reports of misuse, overdose and very rareserious side-effects have raised concernsabout the use of these medicines inchildren under 6.The risk to children is only at the time ofuse; in other words, children who usedthese products in the past are not at riskfrom having taken them.Check PregVit vitamins, says Health CanadaHealth Canada is informing expectantmothers and women who are planningpregnancy taking the product PregVitFolic 5 and/or PregVit distributed byDuchesnay Inc. to check the product’s individualsealed packages. Reports relatedto incorrect packaging of some blisterpacks have been received by HealthCanada; however no concerns have beenraised regarding the tablets themselves.Individual sealed packages of PregVitFolic 5 and PregVit should contain apink blister pack of pink tablets to betaken in the morning, and a blue blisterpack of blue tablets, to be taken in theevening. The pink and the blue tablets donot contain the same active ingredientsand their daily intake is complementary.Some of the individual sealed packages,which should contain both a pink and ablue blister pack, contained only pink orThe relabelling of over-the-counter coughand cold medicines will be completed byfall 2009, in time for the next cough andcold season. Until then, these medicineswill remain on store shelves and in homeswith the current labelling. Labels couldinclude dosing information for childrenunder 6, because many of these productsalso have dosing information for adultsand older children on the same label. Forthis cough and cold season, parents orcaregivers should consult a pharmacist ora health care practitioner when buying orusing these products. These medicines canstill be used in children 6 and older, andadults.only blue blister packs. Consumers areadvised to check the individual, sealedpackages to ensure they contain both apink and a blue blister pack so that theyreceive the optimal amount of vitaminand mineral supplements.Consumers with the incorrectly packagedproducts are advised to consult theirpharmacist to get a new package.Health Canada has not received anyadverse reaction reports related to themis-packaging of these products inCanada. Preventive benefits, as well asvitamin and mineral supplementationwill be optimized by using correctly packagedproducts.Consumers requiring more informationabout this advisory can contact HealthCanada’s public enquiries line at (613)957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.10ontario midwife • Winter 2009