TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Osteoporosis Canada congratulates the
Ontario government, the New Brunswick government, the Saskatchewan
government and the British Columbia government for providing access to
a new osteoporosis medication.  Aclasta (zoledronic acid) is now available on public and private drug plans in Ontario, BC, SK,
and NB meaning Canadians at high risk for fractures have access to
increased treatment options. 

"With the announcement of Aclasta available on public and private drug
plans, individuals living with osteoporosis in these provinces will
have access to another option for the treatment of this debilitating
disease," said Dr. Famida Jiwa, president and CEO, Osteoporosis Canada. 
"While Osteoporosis Canada applauds the many provincial governments for
increasing access, the organization continues to work with other
provinces and territories to ensure that all patients with osteoporosis
have options and access to the medications they need." 

The Criteria for Aclasta

All Osteoporosis patients in Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and
New Brunswick covered by their provincial drug plan or by private drug
plans now have access to Aclasta, a new treatment for those with
osteoporosis at high risk for fracture. 

Aclasta is recommended for

The treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, as a once-yearly
intravenous infusion, to reduce the incidence of hip, vertebral and
non-vertebral fractures

The treatment to increase bone mineral density in men with osteoporosis,
as a once-yearly intravenous infusion

The treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, to
increase bone mineral density, as a once-yearly intravenous infusion

The prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women with osteopenia
as a single intravenous infusion

The treatment of Paget's disease of the bone in men and women, as a
single-dose intravenous infusion

Special Authority criteria

For women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, for whom oral
bisphosphonates are contraindicated due to abnormalities of the
esophagus (e.g. .,  stricture or achalasia). 

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 Canadai 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.