Unique partnership provides innovative screening program for early detection and better management of arthritis
(January 15, 2015) – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and its Scientific Director, Dr. John Esdaile, have received the 2014 Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Partnership Award for developing, in collaboration with Arthritis Consumer Experts and Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, an innovative screening program to help Canadians better prevent and manage arthritis. Through the Shoppers Drug Mart Arthritis Screening Program, these partners have shown how researchers, patients and the private sector can work together to provide health solutions to Canadians.
As part of the program, pharmacists at more than 1,200 Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada have provided arthritis screening and information to Canadians. To help detect the disease at an early stage, the program includes a self-administered joint exam and questionnaire. It also enables Canadians with arthritis to work with a pharmacist to monitor their symptoms and medication over time to prevent the disease from worsening. The Shoppers Drug Mart Arthritis Screening Program is the first and only program in Canada designed especially for women afflicted with arthritis. The disease affects two out of three or 2.8 million Canadian women.
The three partners developed the arthritis screening program following research undertaken at the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada that showed that an early intervention improved the quality of care and life for people who had osteoarthritis.
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system for Canadians. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,700 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
About the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada
The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC) is an international leader in medical research on Canada's most debilitating chronic disease. ARC conducts consumer-driven clinical research to help reduce the burden of arthritis, and give people with arthritis better, more timely, and cost-effective solutions for living with their disease. With research centres in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, ARC's research is making a critical difference in arthritis diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, care outcomes and quality of life issues for millions of arthritis patients.
About Arthritis Consumer Experts
Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) is a national organization that provides science-based information and education programs in both official languages to people with arthritis. ACE serves consumers living with all forms of arthritis by helping them take control of their disease and improve their quality of life. Founded and led by people with arthritis, ACE also actively advocates on arthritis health and policy issues, through ACE's JointHealth™ family of programs and the Arthritis Broadcast Network, directly to consumers/patients, healthcare professionals, media and government. ACE is guided by a strict set of guiding principles, set out by an advisory board comprised of leading scientists, medical professionals and informed arthritis activists.
Discover JointHealth™ online:
About Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With more than 1,244 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns 57 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and six luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 62 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to longterm care facilities.
