Report Card: Biologic Coverage for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada

Click here to view this report card as a PDF (2017)
(last updated 2017-05-16)
Click here to view this report card as a PDF (2016)
Click here to view this report card as a PDF (2014)

Listen to this Audio News Release about our Report Card:

Why an IBD Report Card?

About 1 in every 150 Canadians has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is among the highest prevalence in the world. Of all digestive diseases, IBD is one of the most devastating. It is chronic, often challenging to manage, decreases quality of life, affects the ability to attend school or go to work, and can lead to death. The exact cause of IBD is unknown and there is currently no cure.

Patients affected by IBD need medications that work. Biologic medications are extremely beneficial for many patients with moderate to severe IBD. However, biologics used in IBD offer varied responses, depending on the patient; therefore facilitating biologic access is important to IBD patients. There is wide variation in provincial/territorial/federal drug plan coverage across Canada for IBD patients, preventing many from securing affordable access to the medications they need.

When an IBD patient receives the right medication at the right time and for the right duration – as determined between physician and patient – these individuals can live full, rewarding lives as productive, valuable citizens who participate in the workforce and community.

This Report

We assembled this report card in association with gastroenterologists and other IBD medical experts living throughout the country. We formed recommendations using the most current evidence-based research on the appropriate management of IBD and on their clinical practices.