Whitby Free Press. Wednesclay, May 26, 1993. Page 9 w w w - - - Lamisil, a new fungi-killing drug that cures skin and nail infections, is being mnanufactured by the Sandoz Canada Inc. plant in Whitby. More than haîf a million Canadians who suifer fromr athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm and nail infections could benefit from the new fungi-killing drug. Lamisil is the first antifungal medication to kili fungi rather than merely slowing their growth. According to Dr. Giles Rayrnond, a leading Canadian dermnatologist, "Lamisil offers real and demonstrated progress in the treatment of fungal skin and nail infections." Sandoz says that because they 1<111 fungi, Lamisil tablets work much better and much faster than previously available medications. For exaînple, fungal infections of the fingernails and teenails are a chronic problem for many Canadians, and studies show that Larnisil achieves cure rates over 80 per cent, compared to 30 per cent for the most widely used current treatment. In ail, more than 10 per cent of aduits now have some form of fungal skin or nail infection. Docters note that athietes, people who use public swimming pools, workers, such as labourers, gardeners, military personnel and fishermen, who wear close-fitting boots, and the elderly are among those at greatest risk of contracting fungal infections. While many people think these infections are merely cosrnetic, specialists point out that they will not cure themselves, that they can be painful and that they rnay interfère with walking' and wearing proper shoes. Medical treatment is often required. More than 40 countries have recently approved Lainisil and its effectiveness bas been proven in clinical tests. A study of 112 patients reported in the 1992 British Medical journal concluded that 12 weeks of oral Lamisil was an effective and safe treatment for fungal nail infection, achievirig an 82 per cent cure rate for toenail infection. According to Colin Mallet, president of Sandoz Canada, "In this country, where over 110 derrnatologists and close to 1,000 patients took part in clinica] studies, results from Canadian studies concur with other international studies." Basing its approach on the idea of "treating skin problems from the inside out," Sandoz is using its expertise in immunology and molecular biology to create three uniquely effective skin care medications. In addition te Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochioride), these are Sandimmune (cyclosporine), the drug used successfully te prevent organ transplant rejection, that has been developed as an effective product te combat severe, treatment-resistaflt psoriasis. Also, Zaditen, an anti- inflammatory and anti-allergic therapy approved in Canada as a preventative in pediatric asthma, is proving successful in other countries in the treatment of eczema and treatment-resistant hives. Sandoz recently received approval from the health protection branch of Health and Welfare Canada te market Lamisil for the following indications: nail fungal infections, resistant forms of skin fungal infections, such ns athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch. Canadian researchers are now pursuing studies concerning its use for other indications. Sandoz Canada hIc., part of the 'worldwide operations of Sandoz Limited of Switzerland, is one of Canada's leading pharmaceutical companies. Conducting a wide-ranging programn of research, manufac- turing and marketing in Canada, the company bas its headquarters in Dorval, Quebec. A BANKRUPTCY auction was held last week at the former Whitby Steel plant. The plant closed in January 1992 after about eight years uf operation, and many of the management and staff then created a new company, Darlington Steel, in Courtice. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whilby Free Press CANADA POST RECOGNITION Lothouse earns award By Lucie Rochette A Whitby-based S business has won f N~ the Canada Post (Y«<I'Supper Award Lofthouse Brasa Manufacturing Ltd. has been supplYing busi- nesses with machine cornponents and other items for more than 35 years. Lofthouse bas "a large number of customers in Canada," says sales manager Gary Gordon, and Canada Post is one of them. The company works with non- ferrous materials to produce lock components, automotive com- ponents, electrical, plumbing, welding, and architectural corn- ponents, as well as pumping eq uipment. 1fthouse buys raw materials and cuts them into smaller bil- lets or slugs. The slugs are then heated, pressed and stamped into the desired shape. The company exports a large number of theïr products to the U.S. and also to Mexico. Gordon estimates that 45 per cent of products go south of the border. Lofthouse also supplies Canada Post. Canada Post recog- nizes the comanies that excel at suplig eded materials dur- ing the year, and L-ofthouse received the award. The company, which was foun- ded in 1957, has a location in Whitby, and works with Rotarco Limited, in Burk's Falls, Ont. Last year, gross sales for the company were "in the eight mil- lion (dollar) range," says Gordon. "During the recession, our level of business was reduced," he says. However, he also says that tMhe effeet wasn't terrible. It (recession) didn't have a devastating effect.» Tourism workshop June 8 The Tourist Association of Durham Region will hold the spring workshop and literature exchang e on June 8 in Oshawa. The literature exchange and association update, both for members only, will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The regional tourism update, travel an d trade report and other events, aIl for general interest, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The workshop and exchange will be held at Durharn College, in the dining roorn. 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