Our studies begin with a question (referred to as a query) concerning the safety, effectiveness or utilization of a medication or class of medications submitted by one of our partners: Health Canada, provincial and territorial drug plan managers, or the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). These requests are sent to DSEN, who then evaluate and assign these queries to one of their research teams, including CNODES (see the organizational chart of DSEN here). Results from our studies go on to inform policy makers, healthcare providers, regulators and patients on the safety and effectiveness of drugs. Our findings are also published in leading academic journals.
Projects
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Risk of Arterial and Venous Thrombotic Events Among Patients with COVID-19: A Multi-National Collaboration of Regulatory Agencies from Canada, Europe, and United States
The risk of arterial thromboembolism and venous thromboembolism among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 varied by country. This variation was observed among patients initially diagnosed in the ambulatory setting and the hospital setting, and before and during COVID-19 vaccine availability. Differences in healthcare systems, data sources, prevalence of underlying comorbid conditions, and approaches to COVID-19 and thromboembolism case definition may have contributed to the variation in thromboembolism risk estimates observed between countries.
Q20-21_CDMPrescription ranitidine use and population exposure in 6 Canadian provinces, 1996 to 2019: a serial cross-sectional analysis
In September 2019, Health Canada directed domestic manufacturers to cease distributing ranitidine due to potentially high concentrations of the possible carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). This study will characterize the use of dispensed histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in Canada by describing demographic and clinical characteristics of users and prescribers.
Q20-12Validity of diagnoses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian administrative health data: a multiprovince, population-based cohort study
This multi-province validation study supports the use of inpatient and ED records as alternatives to population- based laboratory tests for identification of COVID-19 cases during the first year of the pandemic.
Our findings do not support the use of outpatient service claims to identify people infected with COVID-19.Q21-04Hydrochlorothiazide use and risk of keratinocyte carcinoma and melanoma: A multisite population-based cohort study
The use of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was not associated with increased overall risks of keratinocyte carcinoma or melanoma when compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). However, elevated risks of keratinocyte carcinoma and melanoma were observed with longer durations of use (≥10 years) and higher cumulative doses (≥100,000 mg) of HCTZ, particularly when compared with calcium channel blockers (CCBs).
Q19-05Valsartan, Losartan and Irbesartan use in the USA, UK, Canada and Denmark after the nitrosamine recalls: a descriptive cohort study
In Canada, an immediate steep decline in valsartan use was observed after the July 2018 recall accompanied by increased switching to other angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) products. Subsequent recalls for losartan and irbesartan were also associated with increased switching, but overall trends in use remained unchanged. Despite availability of uncontaminated ARB products at the time of the recall, findings show that the immediate response was to switch patients to another ARB.
Q20-02_CDMComparison of pregnancy outcomes of patients treated with ondansetron vs alternative antiemetic medications in a multinational, population-based cohort
In this large study of 4,103,695 pregnancies, ondansetron use during pregnancy was not associated with increased risks of fetal death, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or major congenital malformation, when compared with other commonly used antiemetic drugs.