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---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 14:10:55 -0500 From: [log in to unmask] > Attention News/Health Editors: > > Parkinson's Sufferers Denied Access To Promising New Treatment Options > > Ontario Government's Efforts Deemed ``Unacceptable'' by > Parkinson Foundation of Canada > > TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - Despite federal approval of two new and > effective Parkinson's drugs specifically Pramipexole and Ropinirole that > were approved in January 1998 and August 1997 respectively, Ontario, > unlike other provinces, has not provided government coverage for the > treatments. The Parkinson Foundation of Canada is calling on the Ontario > government to list new treatments on the provincial formulary. Without > registration on the provincial formulary, the drugs are unavailable to > Ontario Parkinson's sufferers who rely on the provincial drug plan. > > ``Through their non-action, the government of Ontario is neglecting > the needs of people living with Parkinson's disease,'' said Blaire > McRobie, President and CEO of The Parkinson Foundation of Canada. > ``Treatment advancements for Parkinson's are rare, making it even more > important to ensure that each Ontario resident - not just those who can > afford it - has access to the newest, most effective medications > available,'' he added. > > Parkinson's disease is a chronic debilitating neuromuscular disease > that undermines a person's ability to control their movements. Parkinson's > affects more than 100,000 Canadians - a figure that is expected to rise by > at least 30 per cent in the next 20 years. It is estimated that one out of > every 250 people over the age of 40 is affected by the condition. This > figure increases to approximately one person in 100 among those over the > age of 65. > > The two new Parkinson's treatments, Pramipexole and Ropinirole, have > been proven to be effective in both the early and late stages of the > condition's progression. The prospect of trying these new therapies has > raised hopes for many people in Ontario with Parkinson's, as well as their > families and caregivers. > > The Parkinson Foundation of Canada is dedicated to funding research > and providing support services for people living with Parkinson's and > their families. Founded in 1965, the Foundation has more than 100 chapters > and support groups across Canada and has committed in the past five years > more than $6.5 million to 125 scientists working on the Parkinson's > puzzle. The Foundation also supports 10 Movement Disorder Clinics and four > Community Outreach programs. > > -30- > > For further information: Patrick Ussher, The Parkinson Foundation of > Canada, (416) 366-0099 or Jane McCoubrey, NATIONAL PharmaCom, (416) > 586-0180