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November 22, 2024
Government of Canada establishes a committee of experts to make recommendations on national pharmacare
The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the establishment of the Committee of Experts which will recommend options on how to operate and finance a national, universal, single-payer pharmacare program in Canada. The Committee will include: Dr. Nav Persaud (Chair); Dr. Stéphane Ahern; Amy Lamb; Dr. Steve Morgan; and, Linda Silas. Over the next year,[…]
Learn moreNovember 21, 2024
Talquetamab not recommended for reimbursement
On October 31st the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review Expert Review Committee (pERC) of Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) decided not to recommend TALVEY (talquetamab) for reimbursement. The pERC’s draft decision states that due to the limited data available for their review and the nature of its side effectsProblems that occur due to drugs used for disease treatment. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores., public drug plans should not fund[…]
Learn moreNovember 19, 2024
Cancer Action Now Alliance (CANA) releases survey results on diagnostic and treatment wait times in Quebec
CANA’s survey of 300 Quebecers living with cancerA term for diseases in which malignant cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. highlighted the long wait times respondents experienced. The study, supported by Coalition Priorité au Québec and conducted by Léger, found that more than half of Quebecers living with cancer wait on average 3-5 months for their first treatment. The survey also revealed[…]
Learn moreOctober 2, 2024
The changing landscape of multiple myeloma – Toronto Star
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month — an important time to spotlight the impact of blood cancers on the lives of Canadians. While many people are familiar with blood cancers like leukemia, they may not know that multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent blood cancer in Canada and is predicted[…]
Learn moreOctober 2, 2024
“I knew something was wrong”: A Terrebonne woman has to go back to the doctor six times to be diagnosed with blood cancer – Journal de Montreal (in French only)
A Terrebonne woman who had to go to the doctor six times before being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2013 is using her remission to raise awareness of this insidious disease and prevent other sufferers from being ignored. “I didn’t have a family doctor at the time and had to go[…]
Learn moreSeptember 19, 2024
The Government of Canada introduces the Connected Care for Canadians Act
On June 6, 2024, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, introduced Bill C-72 the Connected Care for Canadians Act. This Act is about enabling Canadians to securely access their own health data, which will empower patient’s decision-making and improve the care they receive from health providers in Canada. This Act outlines[…]
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September 24, 2024
Multiple myeloma: research update
Myeloma Canada, along with thousands from the global hematology community, had the privilege of following the American Society of ClinicalInvolving direct observation of a patient. Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (May 30 – June 3) and the European Hematology Association (EHA) Hybrid Congress (June 13-16) to hear from leading myeloma experts about the latest progress in[…]
Learn moreSeptember 19, 2024
Myeloma Canada at the CDA-AMC Symposium 2024
Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) Symposium 2024 is a 3-day hybrid event in Ottawa (ON) that gathers leaders from across Canada with expertise in policy, industry, health technology assessment, patient advocacy, medicine, public health, and communications. Representing Myeloma Canada were Martine Elias – CEO; Jessy Ranger – Director, Health Policy, Advocacy[…]
Learn moreJuly 17, 2024
Letter to the Editor: The best of science and the worst of bureaucracy
We invite you to read our opinion letter, written by Jessy Ranger, Director, Patient Programs, Health Policy & Advocacy at Myeloma Canada, and Christina Sit, Manager, Community and Strategic Partnerships at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, on the issues of access to treatment and care. As the country’s[…]
Learn moreJuly 16, 2024
Advocacy activities recap 2023
At first, engaging in advocacy initiatives involving government bodies, officials, drug agencies, and various stakeholders invested in improving the healthcare system or treatment accessibility may appear abstract or a little daunting. Nevertheless, numerous organizations, such as ours, are inherently suited to negotiate, influence and persuade those who have the authority[…]
Learn moreJune 21, 2024
Martine Elias summarizes Real World Evidence (RWE) session at 2024 Myeloma Patients Europe Masterclass
As proud members of Myeloma Patients Europe (MPe), Myeloma Canada attended – and presented at – MPe’s annual Masterclass this past May. The Masterclass is a one-and-a-half-day educational program designed to: increase the knowledge and skills of MPe’s members; share the latest updates on myeloma and amyloidosisA condition in which myeloma light chains (Bence Jones proteins) are deposited in tissues and organs throughout the body. This occurs more commonly with lambda versus kappa Bence Jones proteins. In patients with amyloidosis, the light chain proteins bind to certain tissues such as heart, nerves and kidney rather than being excreted out of the body through the kidneys. diagnosisThe process of identifying a disease by its signs and symptoms., treatment and care; discuss the[…]
Learn moreMay 2, 2024
A round of applause for Martine and her new role!
It is with great joy and pleasure that we announce the advancement of our well-regarded Executive Director, Martine Elias, to the distinguished position of CEO at Myeloma Canada. Martine has been the driving force behind numerous achievements and advancements that have shaped Myeloma Canada into the leading organization it is today.[…]
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