August 2010
Osteoporosis Canada statement on esophageal cancer and bisphosphonate use
We are aware of a recent publication that reports on the association between
oral bisphosphonate use and esophageal cancer. More >>
August 2010
Special Announcement - Organizational changes
A special announcement from Ken Chong, Chair of the Board, to all
stakeholders. More
>>
July 2010
The potential link between calcium supplement intake and
vascular events
We are aware of recent media reports about the potential link between
calcium supplement intake and vascular events. This issue has been addressed by the Scientific Advisory
Council at Osteoporosis Canada in response to a previous study linking calcium supplementation and vascular
events.
Information for patients
Information for health
professionals
July 2010
New vitamin D guidelines - Physicians say Canadians should
be taking more supplements
New and updated guidelines on recommended vitamin D intake have been
published this week in the online issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). More >>
July 2010
FRAX® tool now available in Canada
You may have heard about FRAX®, a fracture risk assessment system from the World Health Organization (WHO) that was released in
March 2008. It lets an individual enter their risk factors (for example, having broken a bone, being a smoker
or on a steroid medication) as well as bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip. The FRAX tool then calculates
the 10-year risk of hip fracture and the 10-year risk of a major osteoporotic fracture (spine, forearm, hip
or shoulder fracture). The Canadian FRAX tool is now available on the FRAX website and as an iPhone application. More
>>
June 2010
Congratulations to Cheryl Baldwin, newest
member of the Order of the Red Cross
We are honoured to announce that Cheryl Baldwin, long-time volunteer with Osteoporosis Canada and currently Vice-Chair of our
Board of Directors, was recently admitted to the Order of the Red Cross - Member Level. More >>
June 2010
Most women unaware of fracture risk
according to recent study
According to recent findings from the Global Longitudinal Study of
Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) emerging from McMaster univeristy in Hamilton, most post-menopausal women at
risk for hip and other osteoporosis-related fractures aren't aware of their actual risk of breaking a
bone. More
>>
May 2010
New JAMA study: annual high-dose of vitamin D and falls and
fractures
We are aware of a new study relating a single, high annual dose of vitamin D and falls and
fractures. The study has been reviewed by experts from the Scientific Advisory Council at Osteoporosis Canada
and their response is available here. What does this study mean for people
living with osteoporosis? Read information prepared by OC's Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN) here.
March 2010
Update: Biphosphonates and atypical
fractures
We are aware of recent media reports that long-term use of
bisphosphonates for osteoporosis (sold under the names of Fosamax [alendronate] and Actonel [risedronate])
may be associated with the occurrence of unusual fractures, most commonly reported to affect the thigh
bone.We recognize that you might find these reports concerning. Osteoporosis Canada takes your concerns
seriously and we will continue to be vigilant in order to inform you about the latest research. The media
coverage and accompanying data has been reviewed by experts from the Scientific Advisory Council at
Osteoporosis Canada and their response is available here.
March 2010
Product recall advisory - Nexus rollator
walker by Dana Douglas
As directed by Health Canada, mobility devices manufacturer
Dana Douglas issued a notice in January of 2010 to advise retailers of a medical device recall. Four (4)
recalls in total were listed affecting the Nexus 1, 2 and 3 rollators. Only authorized Home Medical Equipment
(HME) dealers can perform the necessary repairs to affected units. There will be no cost to the end-user for
either replacement parts or the labour to repair the unit. Specific details are still to come and will be
announced as soon as information becomes available. A detailed description of the four (4) recalls is
available on the Dana Douglas website and includes affected models and serial numbers and/or production
dates. For more information, please visit the Dana Douglas website at http://www.danadouglas.com/notifications.htm or call the
recall centre at 1-866-770-5065.
December 2009
Expanded Coverage of Alendronate in
BC
Effective November 18, 2009, coverage in BC for alendronate daily (10 mg)
and weekly (70 mg) has been expanded. They are now available for PharmaCare coverage through the Special
Authority Program for patients who have fractured due to osteoporosis. Patients do not have to have failed
with etidronate to be eligible. These criteria also apply to the newly listed combination product Fosavance®
(70 mg alendronate/5600 IU vitamin D3). Patients who currently have Special Authority approval for
alendronate are automatically covered for the combination product. Effective January 18, 2010, under the Low
Cost Alternative category, Fosavance® will become a full benefit under Special Authority; alendronate 10 mg
and 70 mg will be partial benefits. Since these medications are Limited Coverage Drugs, approval is subject
to specific criteria, which can be found at http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/sa/criteria/restricted/restrictedtable.html,
along with the Special Authority request forms.
September 2009
Dr. Suzanne Morin receives 2009 Lindy Fraser
Memorial Award
Osteoporosis Canada proudly recognizes Dr. Suzanne Morin as
the 2009 Lindy Fraser Memorial Award recipient. Each year, Osteoporosis Canada recognizes a member of the
Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) with the Lindy Fraser Memorial Award, honouring the personal efforts of a
feisty woman from Ottawa who suffered greatly from her osteoporotic fractures before there was adequate
treatment, and was among the first in Canada to be treated with newer therapies. More >>
August 2009
Dr. Jacques Brown admitted to rank of Knight of the National Order of Québec
Osteoporosis Canada is happy to announce that Dr. Jacques Brown,
rheumatologist and Canadian expert in the field of metabolic bone diseases, was recently admitted to the rank
of Knight of the National Order of Quebec. More >>
August 2009
Study shows hip fracture rates in Canada are
declining
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) on August 26, 2009, “Trends in Hip Fracture Rates in Canada,” has shown that overall,
standardized (i.e. age-adjusted) rates of hip fractures have steadily declined in Canada since 1985.
More >>
July 2009
Better access to treatment to help
osteoporosis patients in Ontario
Effective June 23, 2009, the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)
Formulary has announced that the Ontario government is listing FOSAVANCE® 70mg/5600IU once-weekly dosage as a
General Benefit. Reimbursement will be similar to generic alendronate. More >>
June 2009
Osteoporosis Canada celebrates its
volunteers!
At the recent AGM in Burlington, Ontario, a special
volunteer recognition dinner was held to honour OC’s 2009 award recipients. Through obstacles, health
concerns, competing demands for time, and the trials and tribulations of daily life, OC’s volunteers continue
to show great dedication to the organization and the osteoporosis cause. More >>
June 2009
Osteoporosis Canada announces organizational
changes
Following our Annual General Meeting on June 13th,
Osteoporosis Canada is pleased to welcome four new Chairs to the leadership of its Board of Directors, its
Scientific Advisory Council, its Operations Advisory Council, as well as the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient
Network. More
>>
June 2009
Health Canada approves new dosing option for
Actonel
Health Canada has approved a 150mg dosing option for Actonel
® (risedronate sodium tablets), making it the only once-a-month dosing option in Canada for the treatment of
postmenopausal osteoporosis. More >>
June 2009
Congratulations to Dr. Famida Jiwa, new CNS
Vice Chair
Congratulations to Dr. Famida Jiwa, who has recently been
appointed as Vice Chair of the Committee of National Societies (CNS) of the International Osteoporosis
Foundation (IOF). More
>>
May 2009
May is National Physiotherapy Month in
Canada
May is National Physiotherapy Month and the Canadian
Physiotherapy Association (CPA) is putting the spotlight on four practice areas. More >>
May 2009
Osteoporosis Canada is proud to celebrate
volunteer week!
From coast to coast, volunteers strengthen our communities.
At Osteoporosis Canada, over 1200 volunteers dedicate many hours working at our Chapters and Branches across
the country. Our Board of Directors are all volunteers, as well as our Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) and
the Executive of the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN). Our toll-free, bilingual
information/counselling line is staffed by volunteers. More >>
April 2009
Closing the Gap donates $15,000 to
Osteoporosis Canada
Osteoporosis Canada has recently received a $15,000 donation
from Closing the Gap Healthcare Group, made in recognition of the strong affiliation between the health and
educational services provided to their patients and clients and the work of Osteoporosis Canada. More >>
March 2009
Timeless Women - The Campaign for Stronger
Bones
The Timeless Women PR campaign was first launched in Europe,
with campaign material developed by Novartis in collaboration with the International Osteoporosis Foundation
(IOF) and Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), and was then launched in Canada in March of 2009,
with participation from Osteoporosis Canada. More >>
March 2009
Chartwell REIT donates $82,439 to
Osteoporosis Canada!
Osteoporosis Canada is pleased at our continuing partnership
with Chartwell REIT following this year’s generous donation. The cheque presentation took place at The
Gardens at Qualicum Beach on February 13th, 2009. More >>
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