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May 5, 2009
In a recent pre-election questionnaire, the BC Greens, Liberals and NDP
recognized the importance of appropriate osteoporosis care for British Columbians and expressed their
commitment to improving the current grade of C, given to BC by Osteoporosis Canada in its first national
report card released late last year.
One in four women and at least one in eight men over the age of 50 have
osteoporosis: that means close to 300,000 people in BC. Across the country, it is estimated that as many as
two million Canadians may be at risk of osteoporotic fractures during their lifetime.
“Despite these growing numbers”, says Dr. Larry Dian of the University of
British Columbia and a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of Osteoporosis Canada, “access to publicly
funded treatment options that can help prevent fractures and reduce hospital visits is very poor. In fact,
access to treatment is worse in BC than every other province except Prince Edward Island. This is totally
unacceptable.”
The Osteoporosis Report Card also graded provinces on access to Bone
Mineral Density (BMD) testing. Appropriate access to accurate, reliable BMD testing is an essential component
of diagnosis and treatment. This is another area that BC scored poorly with a grade of C.
In a recent pre-election questionnaire, the BC Chapters and Branches of
Osteoporosis Canada asked the parties what they would do to improve osteoporosis care in British Columbia.
Here is what they had to say:
Access to treatment
When it comes to improving access to osteoporosis treatments, the Greens
say that they will “use bulk buying of generic equivalents to reduce Pharmacare costs as well as ensure that
people throughout the province have access to medications and preventative services.”
According to the BC Liberals, their government is “currently undertaking
a therapeutic review of the medications used for osteoporosis. The review includes an assessment of
bisphosphonate medications (a class of medications for osteoporosis). The review will be completed this year
and will inform enhancements to the formulary.”
The NDP expressed concern over the rising out-of-pocket costs for
healthcare and prescription drugs affecting British Columbian families. The NDP would reduce these costs,
resources permitting. They also vow to work with other provinces and territories on a national program for
prescription drugs that would save money in provincial health care budgets by implementing bulk
purchasing.
Access to Bone Mineral Density testing
The Green Party is committed to providing more funding for Bone Mineral
Density testing and stated that “since BMD testing is a key element of preventative care for older adults,
the BC Greens would support increased funding to provide these services.”
The Liberal Party lists Bone Mineral Density testing as one priority in
its framework to address gaps in care.
The NDP support continued access to BMD testing under the Medical
Services Plan. The NDP also offered to meet with the BC Chapters and Branches of Osteoporosis Canada to
further enhance access to comprehensive assessments for people at risk of having osteoporosis.
Need for a provincial osteoporosis strategy
Osteoporosis Canada recommends that the federal and
provincial/territorial governments work collaboratively to create a national osteoporosis strategy supported
by parallel provincial/territorial strategies that would effectively act to provide coordinated osteoporosis
care.
BC Greens agree that a provincial osteoporosis strategy is “a good place
to start.” BC Liberals point to the development of the “service framework” (a collaborative document
developed in partnership with Osteoporosis Canada and the Arthritis Society completed in early 2008 and meant
to act as a guide to improving care) as the starting point to guide their actions and are supportive of
continuing to work with Osteoporosis Canada and the Arthritis Society to improve care in the
future.
The NDP will continue the government’s efforts in coordination with the
BC Chapters and Branches of Osteoporosis Canada to provide public education about prevention and diagnosis of
osteoporosis and to seek ways to improve access to diagnostic testing and medical therapies. This includes
consideration of a province-wide strategy to improve care.
Holding those elected to account
Established in 1982, Osteoporosis Canada (OC) was the first national
organization for osteoporosis in the world and is the only national charitable organization serving Canadians
who have, or are at risk of, osteoporosis. Its vision is a Canada without osteoporotic
fractures.
British Columbia has a long history of activism on the part of volunteers
who are passionate about reducing the risk of and supporting people living with osteoporosis. There are four
Chapters and seven Branches of OC in British Columbia.
The BC Chapters and Branches of Osteoporosis Canada are encouraging their
members to poll their local candidates about the need to improve osteoporosis care in British Columbia.
Osteoporosis representatives will be holding their elected officials to account when in comes to improving on
their grade of C for osteoporosis care in BC.
For further information, please contact:
Larry Funnell
BC Chapter Representative
778-242-4300
funnelll@shaw.ca
Dr. Famida Jiwa
Vice-President
Osteoporosis Canada
416-696-2663, ext 250
fjiwa@osteoporosis.ca
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