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B.C. PharmaCare Patient Voice Survey For Osteoporosis Therapies

The B.C. Ministry of Health is conducting a survey of patients, caregivers, and advocacy groups to achieve input regarding osteoporosis therapies in British Columbia and B.C. PharmaCare coverage.

We know that coverage for osteoporosis medications in British Columbia is among the worst in Canada. All treatments for osteoporosis covered by PharmaCare require a “special authority” form to be filled by a physician and the criteria for special authority are very restrictive.

For example, to achieve coverage for certain therapeutic agents, a patient requires a fragility fracture and either an allergy to bisphosphonate or an obstruction to swallowing a pill.

Intolerance, other contraindication to oral bisphosphonate, and even failure on oral bisphosphonate therapy are not included in the criteria for special authority.

  • That means that if you do not tolerate your oral bisphosphonate (alendronate, risedronate weekly pills) you cannot have coverage for an effective treatment.
  • In addition, if your bone density is declining on oral bisphosphonate or you have fractures on oral bisphosphonate, treatment failure is not a reason for a successful special authority application.

The Ministry of Health is soliciting patient input.

Please consider making your voice heard as this may benefit not only your circumstance but that of many other osteoporosis patients in British Columbia.

Patients, caregivers and patient groups can share their experience and opinions with the B.C. Ministry of Health by completing a Your Voice survey.

PharmaCare regularly reviews drugs to decide if they should provide coverage for people enrolled in PharmaCare plans.

PharmaCare considers the drug’s safety, how well it works and how expensive it is, among other factors. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to fill out a survey.

If you are a B.C. resident, you can give input if you:

  • Have the medical condition that the drug would be used for
  • Are an eligible caregiver for someone with that medical condition (a caregiver in another province would have to say yes in order to be able to complete the survey), or;
  • Represent an eligible patient group for B.C. patients with that medical condition
  • This is your chance to improve access to osteoporosis medications in BC

The patient and caregiver survey will only be available on the B.C. government “Your Voice” website from October 20 to November 17, 2021.

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Brigadier-General (retired) Hilary Jaeger recognized as Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Brigadier-General (retired) Hilary Jaeger Osteoporosis Canada is pleased to share that long-time volunteer Dr. Hilary Jaeger is one of three leaders recognized as Honorary Fellows of the Royal College for her transformative contributions to health care and medical education.

Dr. Jaeger has been an ardent supporter and given her time in several capacities over the past decade to Osteoporosis Canada. She joined the Board of Directors in 2011 and served on various board committees, culminating in becoming Board Chair from 2015-2017. Dr. Jaeger also chaired the Strategic planning committee leading the completion of the OC Strategic Plan for 2016-2019.

Additionally, Dr. Jaeger’s contribution to the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) program has been nothing short of outstanding, beginning with her role as part of the FLS Working Group which was responsible for the development of OC’s FLS Toolkit and continuing her service as Chair of the FLS Audit Committee and as a member of the FLS Advisory Committee. She continues to support all things related to FLS and recently presented a webinar, entitled, Economic and Business case for FLS.

Congratulations to Dr. Jaeger.

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Announcing New SAC Chair – Dr. Rowena Ridout

Rowena Ridout

Dr. Rowena Ridout is the new chair of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council. Rowena has been involved with Osteoporosis Canada since 2010 as an active member of the Scientific Advisory Council.  Presently, Rowena is a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Board of Directors and is involved in the development of the new clinical practice guidelines.  She has sat on numerous SAC committees. Rowena was previously the medical advisor for COPN. 

Dr. Ridout is an endocrinologist at the Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network and a staff physician at the UHN/MSH Osteoporosis Program.  She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate medical training at the University of Toronto. She has been involved in clinical research in osteoporosis including the attainment and maintenance of peak bone mass, the treatment of steroid-induced osteoporosis in boys with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy and interventions in the fracture clinic. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and her primary academic activity is teaching and education.

Osteoporosis Canada and the Scientific Advisory Council would also like to recognize and extend sincere thanks to Dr. Sandra Kim for her work and leadership as the SAC Chair 2018-2021. 

Please welcome Dr. Ridout!

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PHAC Osteoporosis Key Findings

Close up of a hand using a tablet

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PHAC Osteoporosis Key Findings

August 18, 2021

Osteoporosis Canada has been working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) over the past few years assisting in the collection of data in Canada’s Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS).

The following infographic Osteoporosis and related fractures in Canada, 2021 is based on the most recent CCDSS data and provides an update on key findings from PHAC’s 2020 Report. It is just one outcome in the last decade resulting from Osteoporosis Canada working in partnership with PHAC.

The infographic provides an update on key findings from PHAC’s 2020 report Osteoporosis and related fractures in Canada: Report from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) 2020 using the most recent data available in the CCDSS.

Read the full report

Osteoporosis and Related Fractures in Canada cover

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Jack Hirsh Award Recipient

Jack Hirsh Award

Rick Adachi MD, FRCPC

The McMaster Academic and Education Department of Medicine Awards review committee have selected an outstanding group of individuals for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Past Osteoporosis Canada Scientific Advisory Council Member, Dr. Rick Adachi is the winner of the Jack Hirsh Award. This is the preeminent achievement award given by the McMaster Department of Medicine.

The award is given annually to a full-time member of the McMaster community with a primary or secondary appointment in medicine. Dr Adachi is retiring this year and this award is fitting recognition of his contributions to the Department.

Congratulations Dr. Adachi!

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Canadian Fracture Liaison Services Join the Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice

Media Release

Osteoporosis Canada and the International Osteoporosis Foundation underline their shared goal of improving clinical outcomes and preventing recurrent fractures in patients who have sustained fractures due to osteoporosis.

Today, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and Osteoporosis Canada (OC) are pleased to announce the inclusion of 42 Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) from the Osteoporosis Canada FLS Registry on the Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice.

The integration of the Canadian FLS on the Capture the Fracture® global map follows a collaboration agreement in which the two organizations underline their shared goal of improving clinical outcomes and preventing recurrent fractures in patients who have sustained fractures due to osteoporosis.

Worldwide, approximately 80% of patients who have already sustained an osteoporosis-related fracture do not receive the care they need to prevent further costly, and often severely debilitating, fragility fractures. Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) represent the most effective strategy to tackle this enormous care gap. In an FLS, a multidisciplinary care team, with the help of a dedicated FLS coordinator, ensures that patients are identified, treated and monitored following a fracture. This results in fewer re-fractures and lower mortality rates, while reducing future costs due to hospital admissions, operations and care home admissions.

IOF CEO, Philippe Halbout, stated:

“The IOF Capture the Fracture® program, a global platform for FLS recognition, sustainability and development, is immensely pleased to welcome the Canadian FLS to its Map of Best Practice, which now provides visibility and recognition for 623 programs in 48 countries worldwide. We thank Osteoporosis Canada for their important collaboration and ongoing support as this will serve to strengthen the global outreach and impact of the CTF program.”

Osteoporosis Canada has been a pioneer in FLS implementation and in setting quality standards for FLS services. The Canadian Fracture Liaison Services which are newly included in the CTF Map of Best Practice have all met the high standards of Osteoporosis Canada’s FLS Registry.

Osteoporosis Canada President and CEO Dr Famida Jiwa added:

“A recent report by the Public Health Agency of Canada (2020) has documented the huge post-fracture care gap that still exists in Canada: less than 20% of patients who fracture receive an osteoporosis intervention. Osteoporosis Canada supports the implementation of FLS as it is the most effective route to closing this care gap. There are currently 42 FLSs on the OC FLS Registry and we are pleased to see them showcased on the IOF Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice.”

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For More Information:
Tracie Napoli
Director, Fund Development & MARCOM
Osteoporosis Canada
tnapoli@osteoporosis.ca
416-696-2663 / 1-800-463-6842 ext. 2286

About IOF

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers as well as 266 patient, medical and research societies, work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide health care priority. https://www.osteoporosis.foundation

Visit the IOF website

About Capture the Fracture®

Capture the Fracture® (CTF) is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). The initiative hopes to drive changes at local and international levels, so that secondary fracture prevention becomes a reality. Its aim is to set global best practices for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), while serving as a benchmark tool to which clinics and hospitals can adhere and aspire to, and receive international recognition. The CTF programme has a diverse set of tools that provides essential resources and documentation to drive quality improvement in FLS; CTF also offers mentorship programmes that support development of FLS at the local level. Currently the CTF network includes 623 FLS from 48 countries worldwide. https://www.capturethefracture.org #CaptureTheFracture

Visit the Capture the Fracture website

About Osteoporosis Canada

Osteoporosis Canada (OC) is the only national Canadian organization serving people who have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in bone health and in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis. OC was the world’s first organization dedicated to osteoporosis, the first to establish guidelines for long-term treatment and exercise, and the first to introduce fracture risk assessment. Over a decade ago, OC began to focus on secondary fracture prevention and has created numerous tools to support Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) implementation, including its FLS Toolkit. https://osteoporosis.ca/

Visit the Osteoporosis Canada website

About Osteoporosis Canada’s FLS Hub:

OC’s FLS Hub (website) was launched in 2013 to provide multiple practical tools and resources to support and facilitate the implementation of FLSs throughout Canada. OC’s National FLS Team assists FLS teams across the country, whether they are in their pre- or post-implementation stages. To recognize successful FLSs, OC launched its FLS Registry in 2016. It showcases FLSs which meet all of OC’s Essential Elements of FLS. The FLS Registry currently lists 42 Canadian FLSs. In 2017, to assist with the FLSs’ ongoing quality improvement efforts, OC conducted the country’s first national FLS audit. A second national FLS audit was completed in the fall of 2020. Compared to the first audit, the 2020 audit demonstrated an overall improvement in all of OC’s core FLS Key Performance Indicators. https://fls.osteoporosis.ca

Visit the Osteoporosis Canada FLS Hub website

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Tribute to Dr. Harry Genant

HARRY K. GENANT, MD (1942-2021)

Osteoporosis Canada is saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Harry K. Genant, internationally renowned for his ground-breaking research in non-invasive and quantitative imaging methods for osteoporosis, arthritis and orthopedics.

The Osteoporosis Canada family extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Dr. Genant.

You can view the tribute for Harry K. Genant, MD from the University of California, San Francisco Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging here.

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CIHR Institute of the Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Advisory Board

Dr. Suzanne Morin has been named a member of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of the Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Advisory Board.

In this capacity Dr. Morin will participate in discussions, research priority setting and strategic planning to promote Musculoskeletal health for Canadians.

Dr. Morin is the Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, member of the divisions of General Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Clinical Epidemiology and scientist at the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center. She is co-director of the Clinical Scholar Program for the General Internal Medicine training program and is a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council (SAC).

The CIHR is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research. Composed of 13 Institutes, the CIHR collaborates with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen the Canadian health care system.

Congratulations to Dr. Morin!

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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) releases its anticipated new report: “Osteoporosis and related fractures in Canada”

This report provides a national overview on diagnosed osteoporosis, related fractures and the osteoporosis care gap among Canadians 40 years and older.  It reports on administrative data from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS), including trend data spanning a surveillance period of 15 years, from 2000-2001 to 2015-2016.  

Here are some important excerpts from the PHAC report:

  • “the absolute number of fractures of the forearm, hip, spine, humerus and pelvis increased over the 15-year surveillance period (from 95,000 in 2000-2001 to 132,000 in 2015-2016)”.  Go to page 35.
  • “Almost one-quarter (227.5 per 1,000 or 22.8%) of those who fractured a hip in 2014-2015 died of any cause within the following 12 months.”  Go to page 36.
  • “While women were 2 times more likely to fracture their hip, men were 1.3 times more likely to die of any cause within 12 months following their hip fracture.”  Go to page 36.
  • “A key finding of this report is that despite well-established clinical practice guidelines and initiatives to promote osteoporosis care, screening and treatment initiation rates following a fracture remain very low in Canada.”  Go to page 53.
  • “Within one year of fracture, less than 20% received an osteoporosis diagnosis, underwent a BMD test or received a prescription for an osteoporosis-related medication.”  Go to page 39.
  • “Irrespective of fracture site, men were less likely to receive a prescription than women.”  Go to page 44.
  • “Given the success of secondary fracture prevention and the resulting cost-saving benefits, increasing accessibility to FLS across the country may help to close the existing osteoporosis care gap.”  Go to page 46.

We urge you to read this very compelling and fact-based report regarding the state of osteoporosis care for Canadians who suffer a fracture.  It is available here.

The report is also available in French here.

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