Daily Archives: April 12, 2017

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says the establishment of a Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) will improve conditions for patients in the region to receive safe, efficacious, high-quality drugs.

Access to safe, efficacious and good-quality drugs is a human right which CARPHA, as the regional public health organisation, is committed to facilitating, CARPHA executive director, Dr James Hospedales, told a capacity building workshop on the regulation of medicines.

CARPHA, in collaboration with the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat and the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO), established the CRS.

Hospedales explained that the CRS will focus on providing regulatory assurance for essential generic medicines for the region.

Through the CRS, CARPHA will be able to help countries perform functions such as reviewing, approving and monitoring medicines in a timely manner, allowing patients faster access to quality drugs, he said, adding that it would also help to reduce cost of medicines to consumers and the health system, thereby improving accessibility and affordability.

With only five Caricom countries currently conducting a review of safety, quality, and efficacy of drugs, PAHO country representative for Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Bernadette Theodore-Gandi, emphasised the need for strong regulatory systems for medicines.

She said that limited capacity in the regulation of medicines can have several negative results, including the proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines, warning this can injure and kill people.

The CRS is a new value added service provided by CARPHA and endorsed by Caricom ministers of health. It is not intended to replace already established national regulatory authorities, but rather to augment and support them. It will also coordinate reporting and analysis on medicine safety and quality issues within Caricom.

See the original post here:

CARPHA says Caribbean Regulatory System will help improve ... - Jamaica Observer

What is a marijuana index?

The global cannabis industry values more than US$150 billion currently. Cannabis sales in North America alone were more than US$7 billion in 2016.

A marijuana index lists the stocks of the major marijuana firms. The North America Marijuana Index, https://marijuanaindex.com/ lists all the major marijuana stocks on a combined North American Index and then separately for America and Canada. I have been tracking the movement of the stocks over the last few months and they are performing excellently. This is the same for Europe and I believe it is headed in the direction of a global index. The Caribbean must prepare itself so as not to be caught off guard, considering that we are aware of what is going on. The global industry will exist with or without the Caribbean's participation in the market. It is better to organise now to increase the Caribbean's share of this global industry.

What is Scarce Commodity's objective?

Against this backdrop, Scarce Commodity was established by the University of the West Indies to provide consultation, technical support, educate, enhance and market the potential of the Caribbean's cannabis/marijuana/hemp industries in a sustainable manner. Scarce Commodity places a strong focus on improving health, expanding industries and creating wealth for the region.

Scarce Commodity's objectives include, but are not limited to, assisting the Caribbean region to understand the importance of the cannabis/hemp industries to increasing growth in GDP per capita, increase intraregional trade, increase foreign currency inflow to the region, increase GDP capita, increase standard of living, reduce the cost of infrastructural development, reduce the cost of energy and, therefore, increasing regional integration and economic development.

What is the issue?

Intraregional trade within CARICOM is the lowest among all trading blocs in the world. Intraregional trade in the Caribbean and Latin America is fourth in the world.

As it relates to global trade and commerce at present, the Caribbean region does not have sufficient commodities to trade within itself and, by extension, does not have enough to trade with the rest of the world sufficiently. As a result, countries have been disenfranchised from each other. Gold is a commodity, rice is a commodity, corn is a commodity, wheat is a commodity, and cannabis and hemp are commodities that will give the Caribbean an opportunity to have a footing in global trade and commerce. Scarce Commodity understands where the global financial markets headed; currently, https://marijuanaindex.com has a solid template that Scarce Commodity will follow and gradually implement for the Caribbean.

How will it operate?

The UWI has put together a team of experts to establish Scarce Commodity to act as the overarching umbrella under which all the alternative Cannabis/marijuana companies will fall.

Scarce Commodity has been conducting extensive semi- structured interviews with respective stakeholders, including but not limited to, the Government officials in the Caribbean and North America, the respective ganja growers associations, the CLAs and cannabis business owners in Colorado, Barcelona and Washington to gain feedback to provide the best packaged proposal to the region. The results emanating suggest that in an attempt to not remain left behind further, and to move Caribbean nations forward, Scarce Commodity should receive minimal bureaucratic hindrances from government ministries, departments and agencies in all countries.

The implementation of the proposed strategy will require a coordinated effort, both internally and externally, from everyone to bring the concept to light.

How will Scarce Commodity integrate the Caribbean?

- The Scarce Commodity Magazine (currently in production) and Scarce Commodity TV are media through which the entity carries out its mandate.

- Scarce Commodity has been packaging and disseminating information on the potential benefits of marijuana under colour codes: green for THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects) pink for CBD (cannabinoid), and the gold for 'ital' on its apparel.

- Scarce Commodity has been conducting economic impact assessment of cultural events which includes cannabis festivals. Based on recommendation from the assessment of the 14th Annual Stepping High Cannabis Festival, Scarce Commodity is UWI Cannabis Cup next Thursday, April 20, at UWI, Mona.

Be there.

- Scarce Commodity is in negotiation with a local proprietor to build an 'innocent' plant village (permanent cannabis village) where local and international tourist can visit, similar to that in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Colorado, Washington, and other states and cities abroad.

Why is Scarce Commodity relevant?

Granting a few licence to a few parties from oversees will minimise the regions ability to benefit holistically. The region is already behind.

Decriminalisation and legalisation of medical marijuana without regulated production has been strongly advised against, based on the recommendations from the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS). Before we regulate we must create.

If not, production has been and will remain in its same haphazard nature and the fight against illegal production will not cease.

Go here to read the rest:

We need our own Marijuana Index in the Caribbean - Jamaica Gleaner

Billie Lourd and Taylor Lautner are packing on the heat!

The two lovebirds continued their PDA-filled vacation on Sunday, sharing hugs and kisses while at the beach in the Caribbean on Sunday.

Lourd, 24, couldnt seem to keep her hands off her 25-year-old boyfriend as they swam through the ocean waves and took a stroll alongthe beach in St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.

TheScream Queenscostars began their relationship shortly before the deaths of Lourds mother Carrie Fisher and grandmother Debbie Reynolds in December.

TheTwilight actor has been a source of strength and comfort for Lourd.

Lautner sported a baseball cap, grey T-shirt and maroon swimming trunks. His girlfriend opted for striped maroon shorts over a black and white striped one-piece bathing suit.

FROM COINAGE:Vacation Like a Kardashian: Heres How Much It Will Cost You

On Saturday, Lautner posted a photo on his Instagram account from an aerial perspective of where the couple was enjoying some downtime, captioned: #nofilter #blasontheoutsideblessedontheinside #hashtagthief.

The two were joined on their vacation by Lourds dad, CAA co-chairman Bryan Lourd, and her stepdad, Bruce Bozzi.

Bozzi also posted a photo on Instagram, capturing their family in a snapshot wearing face masks and writing, The family that masks together lasts together! Hello 4/3/17 #fresh #relax @praisethelourd.

See the original post here:

Billie Lourd and Taylor Lautner Enjoy a PDA-Filled Caribbean Getaway - PEOPLE.com

The finale of CaribeNTM took place on April 3 and this years competition ended in dramatic fashion, as two contestants tied for second place Samantha West from Trinidad and Nkechi Vaughn of Guyana. It was, however, the 5 9 Jamaican who won the judges over with her grace and natural beauty, as well as her ability to work the camera no matter the setting or theme. This seasons competition was held against the backdrop of the enchanting Spice Isle of Grenada, and whether she was covering herself with oil for the infamous jab jab shoot or getting artistic in an underwater shoot, Simmss versatility and raw modelling talent led her to the top position. Along with the title of being the Caribbeans Next Top Model, Shamique was also awarded US$25,000 in cash; an international modelling agency contract with Mint Model Management of New York, USA; a cover feature and editorial spread in SHE Caribbean magazine; and the latest generation iPhone from Flow. Flow congratulates Shamique on her much deserved big win, said Wendy McDonald, senior director Communications, for the Caribbean. Last year, we welcomed the opportunity to partner with CaribeNTM as we saw this as a unique platform to provide exposure of young Caribbean talent both in front of and behind the camera. For us this is not just a competition but it is an investment in the development of the Caribbean fashion industry and our capacity to create local content that is on par with international standards. Additionally, it provides our viewers with unmatched access to local and regional content. The third season of The Caribbeans Next Top Model, presented by Flow, premiered on January 30th exclusively on Flow 1 with 17 fresh-faced ladies from all across the Caribbean. This season, Flow customers were able to watch the drama unfold on the go for the first time via the Flow ToGo app or watch and re-watch any episode via Flow On Demand, ensuring they never missed a moment of the excitement. Tough field

Congratulating the winner, as well as each of the participants, the CaribeNTM co- executive producer, host, judge and former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam said: Shamique competed amongst our toughest field of aspiring models yet, and always maintained her focus throughout the competition. More than any other participant, Shamique entered the competition with a clear understanding of what is required of her in the modelling industry. She consistently grew throughout the competition and it is this combination of preparedness and dogmatic perseverance with respect to her diet, fitness, mental strength and positive outlook that gave this chocolate beauty, as she was fondly called by her fellow models, the edge. Reality television While there is only one winner, Flow would like to congratulate all the participants and finalists of Season 3 of the Caribbeans Next Top Model. Caribbeans Next Top Model (#CaribeNTM) is produced Starfish Media Ltd and hosted by Miss Universe 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam. It is a reality television competition based on the original production Americas Next Top Model, and the Americas Next Top Model format, created by Tyra Banks and licensed by CBS International. It follows the stories of aspiring young women seeking to launch a career in the competitive world of modelling. Fitzwilliam hosts Caribbeans Next Top Model as head judge, accompanied by judges: international photographer, Pedro Virgil and Caribbean fashion pundit extraordinaire, Socrates McKinney. For Season 3, CaribeNTM combed more than 30 Caribbean territories and narrowed more than 200 applicants down to 17.

Original post:

Shamique Simms is the Caribbean's Next Top Model - Trinidad & Tobago Express