1: Smoking vs. Vaping Like a Chimney?

A cross-sectional study of 58 young adults found that nicotine vaping was associated with impaired vascular function and cardiorespiratory fitness. Both flow-mediated dilation and carotid artery reactivity were reduced among those who vaped, with similar vascular impairments seen in cigarette smokers. Vapers also had lower peak oxygen uptake than those who had never smoked or vaped. A larger longitudinal study is needed to determine how vaping stacks up to cigarettes over time.

2: A Surprising Twist for Empagliflozin

SGLT2 inhibitors have earned a reputation for protecting the kidneys, but does that benefit extend to every kidney disease? A new randomized trial involving 50 adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease found that patients taking empagliflozin experienced a greater increase in kidney volume over 12 months than those receiving placebo (10.5% vs. 5.1% annually). The medication was generally well tolerated, with no significant difference in longer-term kidney function decline. It's a small study, but the findings raise questions about whether SGLT2 inhibitors offer the same benefits across different kidney conditions.

3: A New Weapon Against Prostate Cancer?

Could adding another medication to standard treatment help prevent aggressive prostate cancer from spreading? An international Phase 3 trial highlighted by McGill University suggests it could. Involving more than 1,100 patients, the study found that adding darolutamide to standard therapy reduced the risk of cancer spreading in men with very high-risk prostate cancer. The findings could help shape future treatment recommendations, although longer follow-up is needed to determine whether the benefit translates into improved overall survival.

Dandruff and scalp seborrheic dermatitis (SSD) are chronic and relapsing, and symptoms can return once treatment stops. So, what happens after the dandruff flakes ease and the flare settles?

A study in 48 adults with moderate-to-severe scalp seborrheic dermatitis explored a selenium disulfide shampoo as maintenance after topical corticosteroid/salicylic acid treatment, with fewer relapses than the vehicle shampoo over eight weeks.

Drug Shortages 🚫

Diclofenac Potassium

Newly Approved Drugs ✨

Myqorzo (aficamten): reversible allosteric cardiac myosin inhibitor designed to reduce hypercontractility in order to reduce left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. 

Off-label prescribing is common in pediatric care. A new Health Canada pilot aims to close some of the evidence gaps behind medications already being used to treat children.

A child needs medication, but the drug's approved label doesn't include their age group or condition. Does that mean it can't be prescribed? Not necessarily.

Off-label prescribing is a familiar part of pediatric medicine, particularly when medications haven't been adequately studied in children. But it can leave pharmacists navigating limited evidence on appropriate dosing, safety and effectiveness.

Now, Health Canada wants to help address that gap.

What's changing?

On Oct. 14, Health Canada announced a new pilot program designed to make it easier for academic researchers to study medications already used in routine pediatric care.

The initiative aims to reduce certain regulatory barriers for eligible clinical trials involving established treatments. The goal isn't to introduce new medications. It's to generate better evidence for treatments children are already receiving.

Why does this matter for pharmacists?

Children aren't simply smaller adults. Differences in drug metabolism, body composition and development can affect how medications work and what doses are appropriate.

When pediatric-specific evidence is limited, pharmacists may need to rely on specialized references, clinical guidelines and available research to assess prescriptions and counsel families.

More clinical trials could eventually provide clearer information on dosing, adverse effects and treatment outcomes.

What happens next?

The pilot doesn't change existing prescribing rules or automatically expand approved pediatric indications. Its impact will depend on which studies move forward and what researchers discover.

The bottom line: Off-label prescribing isn't necessarily inappropriate, but stronger pediatric evidence could make medication decisions safer and more informed. For pharmacists, that's a development worth watching.

1: 🇨🇦 After 2 years and more than 6,400 cases, Canada's measles outbreak is officially over. The outbreak began in October 2024, spread across 10 provinces and territories and cost Canada its measles elimination status in 2025. But there's a catch: Canada hasn't regained that status. That requires at least 12 consecutive months without transmission of the outbreak strain. With measles still circulating globally, vaccination remains essential.

2: ✋ Could a 15-minute procedure help patients with carpal tunnel syndrome avoid surgery? A new randomized trial published in Radiology suggests it might. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection, which uses saline to free the compressed median nerve, provided longer-lasting relief than steroid injections. Among 63 treated wrists, patients receiving hydrodissection continued improving over 6 months, while symptoms returned in the steroid-only group. Larger studies are needed, but the procedure offers a promising alternative.

3: 🐶 Is your dog really the one ruining your sleep? Maybe not. University of Toronto researchers tracked 25 people and their 38 dogs over 4 weeks and found that sharing a bed with your furry friend didn't significantly affect sleep duration or efficiency. In fact, when nighttime movements were linked, humans were more likely to stir first, followed by their dogs. And here's something to sleep on: 72% of participants said having their dog nearby made them feel safer. Maybe it's time to let sleeping dogs lie. Literally.

4: 🦠 Could medications used to control inflammation actually help certain viruses spread? New research published this week suggests that JAK inhibitors, prescribed for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, may interfere with the body's antiviral defences in ways that allow some viruses to spread more easily. The findings shed light on a potential mechanism behind infection risks associated with these medications. It's early research, but an interesting reminder that suppressing inflammation can sometimes have unintended consequences.

🧠 Learn: Itchy, flaky scalp? Patients often turn to their pharmacist first. From seborrheic dermatitis to psoriasis, knowing what's behind those symptoms can help guide treatment recommendations and identify when a referral is needed. This expert-led webinar on Nov. 12 explores common inflammatory scalp conditions, with practical tips on treatment, product application and managing stubborn symptoms. Register here →

🍳 Make: Breakfast in 6 minutes? These fluffy scrambled eggs pack a ton of protein, thanks to one surprising ingredient: cottage cheese. Just 4 ingredients, one pan and barely enough time to finish your coffee. 

🤑 Save: Love them or hate them, Crocs are practically a healthcare staple. If yours have seen one too many shifts, the Classic Work Clogs are currently 50% off, down from $69.99 to $35. Not a bad excuse to retire that well-worn pair.

👻 Watch: Forget horror movies. Medicine's past is scary enough. These doctors try to identify some truly terrifying medical devices from history, including dental keys, tobacco smoke enemas and other questionable inventions. Consider this your Halloween reminder to be thankful for modern medicine.

First clue: Quiescence

Need a rematch? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Crossword Archive to find every puzzle we’ve ever made, all in one place.

Think you crushed it? Challenge your pharmacist friends to beat your time.

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