Health Canada confirmed it has suspended the establishment licence of Biolyse Pharma Corporation's facility in St. Catharines, Ont., because of significant concerns with the manufacturing process discovered during a recent inspection. Injectable paclitaxel (6mg/ml), used in the treatment of certain lung and breast cancers, is currently the only drug produced at that facility. The suspension of the establishment license means Biolyse is not permitted to sell paclitaxel from that facility to the Canadian market until the serious manufacturing concerns are fully addressed and the suspension on their establishment licence is lifted. To receive and maintain an establishment licence in Canada, a company must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which help to ensure that the drugs sold in Canada are safe, effective and of high quality. These guidelines are applied to all companies and are widely known.

Health Canada has confirmed that supplies of paclitaxel are available from another manufacturer that is licenced to produce it in Canada. The Department is also in regular contact with the provinces and territories regarding the supply situation. There has been no supply disruption caused by the licence suspension. In the short term, Health Canada is allowing the Biolyse product currently on the market to continue to be used for treatment. However, Health Canada cannot be assured that future supplies of paclitaxel from Biolyse would be safe and effective for use by patients until the serious manufacturing violations are resolved. Patients currently being treated with paclitaxel from Biolyse should speak to their healthcare professional if they have concerns with their treatment. Health Canada officials continue to work with the staff at Biolyse Pharma to resolve the issues identified during the inspection as quickly as possible.

Nador Inc. is recalling Selection brand Rosemary Leaves from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Check to see if you have recalled product in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Merck Canada Inc., in consultation with Health Canada, would like to inform you of new important safety information about TEMODAL® (temozolomide) and risk of liver problems. TEMODAL® is an antitumor agent used in combination with radiotherapy in the treatment and maintenance therapy of some brain cancers. TEMODAL® may cause liver problems which may, in some cases, result in death. Liver problems may occur several weeks after starting treatment with TEMODAL® or after treatment has been stopped. If you are using TEMODAL®, your doctor will be monitoring you for signs of liver problems with blood tests as appropriate for your condition. It is important to tell your doctor if you already have liver problems.

Contact your doctor if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, you feel tired or have flu-like symptoms, your urine is dark or brown, your stools are discoloured and/or pale, you experience itching, you have nausea or vomiting, you have pain on the right side of your stomach just below the ribs, or you do not have an appetite. These may be signs of liver problems. Merck Canada Inc. has sent a letter to health care professionals informing them of this important safety information.

Noah's Natural Foods is recalling organic black peppercorns from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product. There is no brand name associated with the product (it is sold in bulk as Organic Black Peppercorn). Locations include Noah's Natural Foods @ 322 Bloor St. West, Toronto and Noah's Natural Foods @ 2395 Yonge St., Toronto.

Check to see if you have recalled product in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Kiss My Face, LLC is recalling their foaming soaps that were sold from November 5, 2012 until March 13, 2014. The recalled products are contaminated with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Pseudomonas species can enter the body through cuts and lesions and may cause local infections in people with weakened immune systems. Neither the company nor Health Canada has received any reports of consumer incidents or injuries related to the use of these products. Approximately 19,000 units of the affected products were sold in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products even if it does not look or smell spoiled. Consumers who purchased any of the lots being recalled are advised to return the product container to the original point of purchase for reimbursement. Alternatively consumers can contact Kiss My Face directly at 1-800-262-5477 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, available in English only), or via email at customerservice@kissmyface.com.

St. Jude Medical Inc., in collaboration with Health Canada, has issued a communication regarding a rare but serious risk of erosion associated with the AMPLATZER Septal Occluder (ASO). The ASO is a medical device implant that is used in adults and children to close an opening (hole) in the wall (also known as septum) of the heart.

St. Jude Medical has updated the label for the ASO with respect to the adverse event of erosion. Erosion is a rare but potential life threatening event which may be caused by the ASO rubbing against the wall of the heart or surrounding structures. Symptoms of possible erosion may include shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, and/or rapid or irregular heart beat. Any patient with an ASO who experiences any of the symptoms of erosion should immediately call his or her heart specialist, or go to the nearest emergency room. Managing marketed health product-related adverse incidents depends on health care professionals and consumers reporting them. Any case of erosion or other serious or unexpected adverse incidents with an ASO should be reported.

Consumers are being warned not to consume The Meat Shoppe brand shredded cheese products as they may be contaminated with Listeria. Affected products include:

The Meat Shoppe: Shredded Cheddar Cheese; Variable sizes; Packed on dates from 2014JA08 up to and including 2014MR03

The Meat Shoppe: Shredded Mozza Cheese; Variable sizes; Packed on dates from 2014JA08 up to and including 2014MR03.

If you purchased either of these products you are advised to check if you have the recalled product and either throw it out or return it to the store where you purchased it from. The item may not look or smell foul but can still make you sick. Those especially at risk are pregnant women and their unborn child as the infection can lead to premature delivery, illness of the newborn and even stillbirth. Symptoms of Listeriosis may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. As of the date above there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. The recall was triggered by the company.

Consumers are being warned not to consume Kirkland Signature Grilled Chicken Breast Strips as it may be contaminated with Listeria. Affected product includes:

Kirkland Signature: Grilled Chicken Breast Strips; 2x500g; Best Before of: APR13-APR26 inclusive.

If you recently purchased this product you are advised check if you have the recalled products and to either throw it out or return it to the store where you purchased it from. The item may not look or smell foul but can still make you sick. Those especially at risk are pregnant women and their unborn child as the infection can lead to premature delivery, illness of the newborn and even stillbirth. Symptoms of Listeriosis may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. As of the date above there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. As of the date above there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. This recall was triggered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results.

Affected products include: The Chocolate Factory: Our Ever Famous Assorted Chocolates 400g.

Health Canada has issued an advisory to those using Abbot FreeStyle glucose test strips that there is a possibility for lower than actual blood sugar readings when used with some glucose meters. False readings could mislead users in treatment/diet decisions that could lead to hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels). The meters are: Abbott Diabetes Care’s FreeStyle Blood Glucose Meter, FreeStyle MiniBlood Glucose Meter, and Insulet’s OmniPod Insulin Management System. Those with affected FreeStyle meters are advised to contact Abbott Diabetes Care at 1-877-576-9368 whereas those with Insulet Omni Pod Insulin Management System should contact Abbott Diabetes Care at 1-877-607-6364