Osgoode PhD candidate Ian Stedman and Professor Michael Brudno, who is Director of the Centre for Computational Medicine at SickKids, will contribute to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health’s study of barriers to access to treatment and drugs for Canadians affected by rare diseases and disorders. Their submissions during the session taking place on Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 8.30 to 9.30 a.m. will emphasize the following:
- It is important that genetic testing for people with rare and/or undiagnosed diseases be given priority in any strategy that aims at removing barriers to access to treatments and drugs for Canadians affected by rare disorders. Early testing can lead to early diagnosis and earlier treatment;
- It is also important to consider the long-term aggregate savings that can be realized by providing early access to innovative therapies, including the benefits to both society and to individuals; and,
- Because rare diseases affect a small number of individuals spread out over a large area (i.e. all across Canada), a national strategy is the only way to effectively tackle concerns about barriers to access and treatment.