top of page

Canadian Drug Agency Updated Recommendations on Romosozumab Access Criteria

2 days ago

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) has issued a positive recommendation that significantly expands access to the osteoporosis medication romosozumab (Evenity). As reported by Osteoporosis Canada, the agency recommends removing the "treatment naïve" restriction for public drug plan reimbursement, marking a major milestone in fracture prevention. [1]

Previously, 2021 guidelines required patients to have no prior history of osteoporosis treatment to qualify for public coverage. The new recommendation from the Formulary Management Expert Committee (FMEC) updates those rules to ensure access is no longer contingent on being treatment naïve, bringing public coverage in line with current clinical guidelines. [1, 2, 3]


What is Changing?

  • Broader Coverage: Patients who have previously taken other osteoporosis drugs—or had to stop them due to side effects—can now qualify for public coverage, provided they meet high-risk criteria. [1, 2]

  • Target Group: Postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis who are at a very high risk for fractures, or who have a history of osteoporotic fractures. [1]

  • Treatment Window: Coverage remains limited to a maximum lifetime duration of 12 months (12 monthly doses of 210 mg).



  1. Osteoporosis Canada Official Press Release – "CDA Recommends Expanded Access to Romosozumab" (October 2026).

  2. Canada's Drug Agency (CDA) Official Report – "Romosozumab (Evenity) Final Recommendation" (October 2026).

  3. Canadian Journal of Health Technologies – Formulary Management Expert Committee (FMEC) Request for Advice Record. [1, 2, 3]

 

Northern Health BC Fracture Risk Assessment Project

May 28

This project aims to improve bone health and reduce the risk of serious fractures for people living in northern British Columbia, with an initial focus on First Nations communities and patients receiving rheumatology care. This is a population at high risk of osteoporotic fracture, due to the higher prevalence of inflammatory arthritis in First Nations individuals and the association between inflammatory conditions and osteoporosis.  Many people in remote communities face major barriers to bone density testing, which can delay diagnosis and treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that increase fracture risk. 

 

To address this gap, the project will use the FRAX fracture risk assessment tool, an internationally recognized method that estimates a person’s 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture using clinical information such as age, medical history, prior fractures, and other risk factors. Because FRAX can be used even when bone density testing is not immediately available, it can help care providers make earlier decisions about prevention, education, and treatment.

 

The project is being led by Dr. David Kendler, Dr. Leo Lai, and Carrier Sekani Family Services in partnership with rheumatologists, primary care providers, allied health professionals, patient partners, cultural advisors, and health authority representatives. The project commenced in the Spring of 2026. Over a two-year period, the team will provide fracture risk assessments, train providers and clinic staff, develop culturally informed educational materials, and evaluate how the approach supports patient care.

 

The overall goal is to make fracture prevention more accessible, improve awareness of bone health, support earlier intervention, and help reduce avoidable fractures that can seriously affect mobility, independence, and quality of life.

 

Project updates and materials will be posted here, as they become available.

 

BC Coalition of Osteoporosis Physicians

bottom of page