| .Dear
Candidate,
With the upcoming
federal election, the Canadian Diabetes Association wishes to bring to
the attention of all political parties the importance of implementing a
National Catastrophic Drug Plan.
Nationally, more
than 2.4 million Canadians have diabetes, with this number expected to
reach over three million by 2010. In Nova Scotia, approximately 67,000
adults have diabetes, and over the past five years, the prevalence of
the disease has increased by 20% in this province, with about 500 new
cases per month.
§
Adults with diabetes, as compared to
people without diabetes, are:
Ø
Three times more likely to have
cardiovascular disease;
Ø
6 to 7 times more likely to have
nephropathy (kidney disease) and retinopathy (eye disease);
Ø
11 times more likely to have a lower
extremity amputation.
§
People with diabetes are at higher
risk of certain serious conditions and this difference in risk is
particularly pronounced in those aged 20 to 49 years.
§
People with diabetes are 2 times more
likely to be hospitalized, and to have slightly longer lengths of stay,
than people without diabetes.
(The Nova Scotia Diabetes Statistics Report, 2008,
Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia)
Diabetes
is not only a leading cause of death by disease, it is also financial
burden on those affected by it. All Canadians living with diabetes must
take prescribed medications and test their blood sugar levels daily,
regardless of the absence of serious complications. The coverage levels
and availability of diabetes medications varies greatly from province to
province, creating inequalities in diabetes healthcare across the
country. The personal out-of-pocket cost of diabetes for Canadians is
up to $5,000 per year for medications and supplies, in some cases up to
18% of pre-tax income. The fact that, on average, Canadians with
diabetes have lower incomes than other Canadians makes this burden all
the greater. (Statistics Canada,
2005)
The
Canadian Diabetes Association asks for the implementation of a National
Catastrophic Drug Plan ensuring Canadians pay less than 3% of their
adjusted annual income on medications, devices and supplies.
Canadians living with diabetes deserve the drugs, supplies, education,
care, management and financial support needed to manage their disease no
matter where they live in Canada.
The pamphlet
attached provides additional information on this important topic. For
more information about our advocacy work, please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Matte
Regional Director, NS Region
101-137 Chain Lake Dr
Halifax
NS B3S 1B3
T:
(902) 453-3618
F:
(902) 453-4440
E:
lisa.matte@diabetes.ca
diabetes.ca
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