All posts by Scott Gavura

Scott Gavura, BScPhm, MBA, RPh is committed to improving the way medications are used, and examining the profession of pharmacy through the lens of science-based medicine. He has a professional interest is improving the cost-effective use of drugs at the population level. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Toronto, and has completed a Accredited Canadian Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program. His professional background includes pharmacy work in both community and hospital settings. He is a registered pharmacist in Ontario, Canada. Scott has no conflicts of interest to disclose. Disclaimer: All views expressed by Scott are his personal views alone, and do not represent the opinions of any current or former employers, or any organizations that he may be affiliated with. All information is provided for discussion purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for consultation with a licensed and accredited health professional.

Placenta Eye Drops

If you thought eating the placenta was odd, what about putting it in your eye?

/ November 12, 2020
COVID-19 vs. FDA and CDC

The Top COVID-19 Hucksters and Grifters…so far

It wouldn't be a health crisis without those that want to profit from it.

/ October 29, 2020

Importing drugs from Canada won’t lower drug prices for Americans

The Trump administration has approved the bulk importation of prescription drugs from Canada. But Canada isn't on board with this plan, and it's not going to reduce drug prices for Americans.

/ October 15, 2020

Turmeric for osteoarthritis: Promising but modest effects

A new trial of turmeric (curcumin) for osteoarthritis suggest it may have medicinal effects.

/ September 17, 2020

The TikTok “Benadryl Challenge” is demonstrating how toxic Benadryl can be

Even without the risk of overdose, there are good reasons to avoid Benadryl entirely.

/ September 3, 2020
Randomized Controlled Trial Schematic

Dexamethasone and Hydroxychloroquine: Why Randomized Controlled Trials Matter

What does the best evidence tell us about hydroxychloroquine and dexamethasone?

/ August 20, 2020

Vitamin D supplements do not reduce the risk of depression

A newly-published randomized controlled trial finds vitamin D supplementation has no effect on depression. This adds to the long list of medical conditions for which vitamin D supplementation has turned out to be ineffective.

/ August 6, 2020
Pharmacy shelf of priobiotics

Probiotics, revisited

New guidelines do not recommend probiotics for most gastrointestinal conditions.

/ July 9, 2020
The Light Spectrum

Blue light blocking glasses: How much of the hype is science-based?

Blue light from our electronics is said to be harmful, and "blue blocking" glasses are touted as a panacea to numerous health issues. Is there any evidence to substantiate these claims?

/ June 25, 2020

An incomplete list of COVID-19 quackery

Possibly the only thing spreading faster than COVID-19 is the pseudoscience about COVID-19.

/ May 28, 2020