Health Canada has released a drug database it has been compiling since 1965. What it contains are doctor's reports on how patients have reacted to specific types of drugs.

Visit the following sites:

• The article is available at the following site: http://www.cbc.ca/news/adr/index.html 

• Click here to view a news report on this issue (you need to have RealPlayer).

• Test the database  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/databasdon/index_e.html 

1. Describe what this database contains and what its function is. (2 marks)

2. Use the database to search for the drug 'Ritalin'. This drug has been commonly prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Disorder to calm down hyperactive children to help them learn.  Fill out the search fields to correspond to your age group. Outline how the information can be filtered. (4 marks)

3. Using Section 1 of this curriculum, outline as many social issues as you can and show how they relate to this database. (6 marks)

4. Select 3 of these social issues and explain whether they are advantages and disadvantages of this service with respect to the publics health. (6 marks)

5. Evaluate the value of this database. Identify the limits and compare the advantages and disadvantages presented in question 4. Conclude whether the disadvantages are too great or whether they can be overcome. (4 marks)

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