Canadians Living With Osteoporosis Have Access To A New Treatment Option

Since the Special Authorization criteria varies between provinces and plans, it is recommended to patients to discuss reimbursement eligibility with their treating physicians.

About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis could strike you or someone you love. It is a silent disease that affects nearly two million Canadians. The risk of a major osteoporotic fracture in Canada is among the highest in the world. Yet, despite the high prevalence of fractures, they are often not appropriately assessed or treated, leaving osteoporosis undiagnosed and undertreated. Broken bones are associated with devastating health consequences including pain, decreased quality of life, loss of independence, and even death. Preventing new fractures for those who have already had an osteoporotic fracture is Osteoporosis Canada's top priority. In 2010, Osteoporosis Canada issued new Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis in Canada ⁱ that help physicians and patients better identify the risk of fracture, resulting in better fracture prevention and better management of osteoporosis overall.

Additional osteoporosis statistics:

• Almost two million Canadians are living with osteoporosis.
• More than 90 per cent of hip fractures in Canada occur in those over age 60.
• In the first year after a vertebral or hip fracture, there is at least a doubling in the risk of death.
• There are about 30,000 hip fractures each year in Canada; many more Canadians suffer osteoporotic fractures affecting the spine, wrist, shoulder, and pelvis.
• A 50-year-old woman has a 40 per cent chance of developing a hip, vertebral or wrist fracture during her lifetime. ⁱⁱ
• More than one quarter of hip fractures in Canada occur in men.
• The one-in-six lifetime risk of hip fracture is greater than the one-in-nine lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. ⁱⁱⁱ
• One in four women who have a new vertebral fracture will fracture again within one year. ^iv

About Osteoporosis Canada

Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national organization serving people who have or are at risk for osteoporosis. In keeping with its vision of a Canada without osteoporotic fractures, the organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis by providing medically accurate information to patients, health professionals and the public. For more information, visit www.osteoporosis.ca.

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