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.

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  • 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.

A woman in a red jacket holds a tissue to her nose, appearing to sneeze or blow her nose, while standing in front of a field of yellow flowers under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Breathing Easy: Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Spring is a miserable season for those with seasonal allergies. There are effective drug- and non-drug measures that can control most symptoms effectively.

/ May 8, 2025
Illustration of a shockwave therapy machine applying treatment to a person’s shoulder, with green waves indicating the therapy area. Text reads "Shockwave Therapy.

Making Waves or Just Noise? A Look at Shockwave Therapy

I’ve been a runner—on and off—for over 25 years. For years, my goal was qualifying for the Boston Marathon. But I was never quite fast enough for my age group. At one point, I figured if I could just hold my best marathon time for another 20 years, I’d eventually “age into” a qualifying time. Unfortunately, my musculoskeletal system has other plans....

/ April 24, 2025
Two women are performing a bird-dog exercise on yoga mats. They are on all fours, extending opposite arms and legs straight. They wear athletic clothing against a dark background.

Is your workout gear killing you?

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been detected in athletic clothing. Should we be worried?

/ April 10, 2025

Cranberry Juice, Revisited

A new review suggests that cranberries may in fact be effective at preventing urinary tract infections.

/ March 27, 2025
The word "Feedback" is written in large, white chalk letters on a smudged green chalkboard background.

Open Thread: The Floor is Yours

I’m taking a few weeks away from the blog. So today, an open thread with a request for suggestions on topics that you feel have been unexplored by the blog. Let me (and the other contributors) know the questions you have and what subjects you want to see addressed. Or use this to comment on anything else, SBM-related. The floor is yours....

/ February 27, 2025
Four cartons of NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drink are displayed: Mango (orange), Watermelon Lime (red), and two Blueberry Peach (blue). Each has "No Added Sugar" and USDA Organic labels, containing 30 calories per carton.

Do you need to drink electrolytes?

Electrolyte drinks are very popular - but are they necessary?

/ February 13, 2025

Homeopathy: Magical thinking, not medicine

The Science-Based Medicine blog was established way back in 2008. Since that time, contributors to this blog have been sounding the alarm about the harmful effects of pseudoscience and conspiracy theories related to health. Few people in positions of authority heeded these warnings or recognized the severity of the threat over the next decade. Sometimes we as health professionals were even mocked...

/ December 19, 2024
A tall pine tree with lush green needles is set against a clear blue sky, capturing the sunlight filtering through its branches.

Pycnogenol – Does maritime pine bark extract live up to the hype?

Prescribed medicines are somewhat resistant to fads. Marketing can certainly drive demand and use, but long-term use tends to be driven by effectiveness. Some medicines used routinely today are decades old (e.g., penicillin for strep throat) because nothing better has been identified. Other drugs may be used for decades, only to largely disappear as newer, more effective treatments are introduced (I’m thinking...

/ December 5, 2024

FDA poised to reshape the cold remedy aisle

The FDA is proposing to order the removal of phenylephrine from oral cough and cold remedies.

/ November 21, 2024
Close-up of raw, rolled oats displaying their flat, oval shape with beige and white shades. The texture appears dry and flaky, typical of uncooked oatmeal.