RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Access to Biologic Therapies in Canada for Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1875
OP 1879
DO 10.3899/jrheum.120089
VO 39
IS 9
A1 CLAIRE M.A. LEBLANC
A1 BIANCA LANG
A1 ALMA BENCIVENGA
A1 ANNE-LAURE CHETAILLE
A1 PAUL DANCEY
A1 PETER DENT
A1 PAIVI MIETTUNEN
A1 KIEM OEN
A1 ALAN ROSENBERG
A1 JOHANNES ROTH
A1 ROSIE SCUCCIMARRI
A1 SHIRLEY M.L. TSE
A1 SUSANNE BENSELER
A1 DAVID A. CABRAL
A1 SARAH CAMPILLO
A1 GAËLLE CHÉDEVILLE
A1 CIARAN M. DUFFY
A1 KAREN WATANABE DUFFY
A1 ELIE HADDAD
A1 ADAM M. HUBER
A1 RONALD LAXER
A1 DEBORAH LEVY
A1 NICOLE JOHNSON
A1 SUZANNE RAMSEY
A1 NATALIE SHIFF
A1 HEINRIKE SCHMELING
A1 RAYFEL SCHNEIDER
A1 ELIZABETH STRINGER
A1 RAE S.M. YEUNG
A1 LORI B. TUCKER
YR 2012
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/39/9/1875.abstract
AB Objective. To compare access to biologic therapies for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) across Canada, and to identify differences in provincial regulations and criteria for access. Methods. Between June and August 2010, we compiled the provincial guidelines for reimbursement of biologic drugs for children with JIA and conducted a multicenter Canada-wide survey of pediatric rheumatologists to determine their experience with accessing biologic therapies for their patients. Results. There were significant difficulties accessing biologic treatments other than etanercept and abatacept for children. There were large discrepancies in the access criteria and coverage of biologic agents across provinces, notably with age restrictions for younger children. Conclusion. Canadian children with JIA may not receive optimal internationally recognized “standard” care because pediatric coverage for biologic drugs through provincial formularies is limited and inconsistent across the country. There is urgent need for public policy to improve access to biologic therapies for these children to ensure optimal short-term and longterm health outcomes.