Some time ago, I'd talked about a Canadian advocacy group called Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE). ACE sends out free monthly newsletters called the JointHealth Monthly, which are packed with valuable information. A person can choose to have ACE send online copies to his/her e-mail address.
This morning I received an e-mail giving me the heads up about a special edition coming out at the end of October. September & October will be a combined edition which will focus on medications, the medication review process in Canada, the inequities of coverage across the country, and a Report Card on provincial formulary performance as it relates to their review, and listings of much needed medications for people with RA. I love the report card idea...I'll get to see how my province compares with the others. I think this wealth of information will come in handy when I'm discussing treatment options with my rheumatologist.
For those of you who haven't taken a look at ACE here's the address www.arthritisconsumerexperts.org
If you prefer to go snail mail:
Arthritis Consumer Experts
910B Richards Street
Vancouver BC V6B 3C1
Cheers!
Thanks for the link, I'm checking it out! I live in Vancouver so I might evenYou're welcome, Gimpy and Justsaynoemore.
Gimpy, I'm sure ACE would love to have you join their group. Here's what it says in ACE's description of who they are. "ACE's activities are guided by its members and led by people with arthritis, leading medical professionals and the ACE Advisory Board."
The fact that ACE ranks people with arthritis ahead of the medical professionals puts the organization in my good books.
I love this statement in ACE's guiding principles... "Health care is a human right. Those in health care, expecially those who stand to gain from the ill health of others, have a moral responsibility to examine what they do, its long term consequences and to ensure that all may benefit. The support of this should be shared by government, citizens, and non-profit and for-profit organizations. This is not only equitable, but is the best means to balance the influence of any specific constituency and a practical necessity."