News Releases

The GI Society and its related charity, The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, frequently appear in the media; journalists are encouraged to use the information on this site in feature articles and news stories provided that the Gastrointestinal Society is informed, and a clear acknowledgement of the Society as the original source is included.

BC Patient Coalition Calls on Minister Dix to Expand Public Medication Coverage

“Vancouver – January 18, 2024 – The Gastrointestinal Society, a member of the MedAccessBC Coalition, unveiled a groundbreaking analysis shedding light on the concerning inequity in British Columbia’s public drug plan…”  [Read More]

IBD Research and Treatment: Canada’s Fame and Shame

“Cambridge – September 12, 2017 – Approximately 233,000 Canadians know how it feels to wake up every day with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), which includes Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis…” [Read More]

The Importance of IBS Awareness Month

“Vancouver – April 10, 2017 – To mark irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month this April, the Gastrointestinal Society has released the results of a recent survey of 2,961 Canadians living with IBS…” [Read More]

Gastrointestinal Society joins Canadian Medical Cannabis Council’s Patient Advisory Committee

“Toronto – March 13, 2017 – Today, the Canadian Medical Cannabis Council (CMCC) announced that the GI Society has become the newest member of the medical cannabis industry’s first Patient Advisory Committee (PAC)…” [Read More]

Health Canada Approves Stelara® for the Treatment of Adults with Moderately to Severely Active Crohn’s Disease

“Toronto – December 14, 2016 – Janssen Inc. announced today that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) for STELARA®…” [Read More]

Takeda’s IBD Treatment ENTYVIO® (vedolizumab) Receives Prestigious Prix Galien Canada Innovative Product Award

“Oakville – November 13, 2016 – Takeda Canada is pleased to announce that ENTYVIO® (vedolizumab), a gut-selective biologic treatment…” [Read More]

GI Society launches new stomach cancer support group

“Vancouver – October 4, 2016 – The Gastrointestinal Society is proud to offer a new support group dedicated exclusively for individuals living with or recovering from stomach (gastric) cancer…” [Read More]

Better Pharmacare Coalition Poll Results

“Vancouver – February 9, 2016 – British Columbians oppose expansion of the Ministry of Health’s Reference Drug Program based on concerns that expansion could compromise patient health…” [Read More]

$100,000 Grant from the BC Ministry of Health

“Vancouver – October 30, 2015 – To help British Columbians living with digestive illnesses, Health Minister Terry Lake announced $100,000 to the Gastrointestinal Society…” [Read More]

GoHere Washroom Access Initiative

“Publicly accessible washrooms are a need for a variety of individuals, including people who live with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other gastrointestinal disorders…” [Read More]

Quebec government wants to come between you and your medication

“Montreal – August 28, 2013 – New research released today by the Canadian Health Policy Institute (CHPI) shows that there will be significant cost to the Ministry of Health and Social Services from a misguided policy announced by Minister Hébert last March…” [Read More]

GI Society and SOSCuisine.com

“Montreal – May 1, 2013 – The GI (Gastrointestinal) Society has teamed up with Sukha Technologies Inc. to help Canadians affected by gastrointestinal conditions eat well while managing GI symptoms…” [Read More]

New Medication for C. difficile Infection

“Toronto – July 5, 2012 – Optimer Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc. announced today the approval of DIFICID (fidaxomicin) by Health Canada for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients 18 years of age and older. DIFICID was approved in Canada on a priority basis recognizing the critical need for new options to treat this disease and is the first new treatment for CDI in over 20 years…” [Read More]

Where Business Meets Philanthropy

“Vancouver – October 14, 2010 – The GI Society was thrilled to learn that Iveta Markova and Anna Mihalik, of Marine Hairstyling for Men in Vancouver, were planning to take on more than great hairstyling this past summer. When they heard that the GI Society needed support for its Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis projects, the women claimed it as their personal mission, raising funds from their cozy, popular downtown shop. It is difficult now to know what is more inspiring: the remarkable amount of money the women raised simply by asking individual clients to make donations, or their unflinching humility at the end of it all…” [Read More]

BC Government’s Drug Policy Cost $43.5 million

“Vancouver – January 22, 2009 – A new study published in the journal, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, reveals that a BC Government PharmaCare policy introduced in July 2003, which was intended to reduce costs by $42 million with minimal impact on patient health, in fact, cost the healthcare system and patients $43.5 million and had a significant impact on patients’ quality of life…” [Read More]

UCan Speak From the Gut

“Vancouver – November 28, 2007 – Balancing Olympic Dreams with Chronic Disease Inspires Successful Steps to Managing Ulcerative Colitis…” [Read More]

Therapeutic Substitution – Why All Canadians Should be Concerned

“Vancouver – February 8, 2005 – Pressure on managers of healthcare and drug benefit plans is prohibitive. We all know that cost-saving measures are necessary. In the zeal to chop excess from the budgets, plan managers must not lose sight of the very reason such plans exist – to help the patients by providing reasonable access to medications, not harm them!…” [Read More]

Canadian Patient Groups Proclaim April as First Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month

“Vancouver and Toronto – March 31, 2003 – In recognition of the more than six million Canadians who suffer with the pain and discomfort caused by the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), three patient groups – the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (SIR), the IBS Self Help and Support Group and the Association des maladies gastro-intestinales fonctionnelles (AMGIF) – have joined together to proclaim April 2003 as the first-ever IBS Awareness Month in Canada…” [Read More]

 

Media inquires can be directed to:

Gail Attara, President & Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 604-873-4876 or 1-866-600-4875 (toll-free).


Image: © hjalmeida | bigstockphoto.com