Every day, Charlton pharmacists counsel patients on advanced therapies for many immune-mediated conditions. Some of this discussion focuses on how the medication works to treat a particular condition. We discuss the risks and benefits of treating vs. not treating a condition. It is important to note that if the benefits of any treatment do not outweigh the risks, the medication is not approved by Health Canada. Patients may respond differently because of their individual characteristics, medical histories, other medications, and their level of disease. However, an expert health professional who understands the disease and medications can effectively put all the risks and benefits into context, allowing patients to make an informed decision about their care.
It is common for some patients to rely on information from various internet sites, including “chat groups” where certain adverse effects of a medication are highlighted by others who have used the treatment. This can often lead people to avoid treatments that could be beneficial for them. It is important to note that the thousands of people who are doing well may not be sharing their experiences on these sites. This results in a skewed sense of the actual risk.
Keep in mind that not all internet sites are misleading. In fact, there are many sites that are validated by medical experts and are excellent sources of general information.
For example, The Arthritis Society, The American College of Rheumatology, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada are great websites run by medical experts. See a full list of our recommended resources here.
Remember, we are here to answer your questions. If you read something that concerns you, reach out to fully understand the context of this information and how it may or may not impact you.
Carolyn Whiskin is the Pharmacy Manager for Charlton Health. Carolyn specializes in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, pharmaceutical compounding, women’s health, pain, and smoking cessation. Carolyn has won provincial and national awards for her commitment to patient care and public service.
Kunal Bhatt, RPh, PharmD, HBSc is a staff pharmacist for Charlton Health. As a 2020 PharmD graduate from the University of Toronto, Kunal possesses a diverse range of experiences from working in hospital and community pharmacy settings. Kunal was heavily invested in contributing to the efforts against COVID-19 by administering upwards of 5000 COVID-19 vaccines at William Osler Health System’s vaccination clinics.