INSIGHT
Breaking Barriers: Expanding CAR T Access in Canada
Policy Brief
Related
Tackling Healthcare Access Barriers for Individuals with Autism from Diagnosis to Adulthood
When Decision Meets Precision: Evolving Health Technology Assessments for the Evaluation of Precision Oncology Therapeutics
Save our Sight (SOS): a collective call-to-action for enhanced retinal care across health systems in high income countries
Recognizing the potential for CAR T to transform the way we treat some of the most complex conditions, Shift Health assembled a multidisciplinary panel of experts to develop concrete recommendations to prepare Canadian healthcare systems to enhance equitable access to this innovative treatment.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy represents a paradigm shift in personalized medicine, offering unprecedented hope for individuals battling rare, complex, and potentially lethal conditions. As regulatory approvals expand and indications broaden, the demand for this innovative treatment is poised to grow significantly. Realizing the full potential of this innovation and ensuring equitable access for all Canadians requires strategic planning and collaboration to address the nuances of this relatively complex therapy within Canada’s decentralized healthcare system.
In support of this objective, Shift Health convened an Expert Panel of diverse thought leaders from across the Canadian cancer ecosystem to develop action-oriented recommendations for enhancing CAR T access in Canada over the next 2-5 years. Comprised of healthcare providers, health system administrators, a regulatory expert, and a patient advocate, the Panel adopted a holistic approach to identifying and addressing several interconnected barriers. These challenges include the limited capacity of the current healthcare system to deliver specialized therapies, the significant burden on patients and caregivers accessing treatment, variability in patient and physician awareness, data sharing obstacles and budgetary constraints.
In response to these multifaceted challenges, the Panel articulated five recommendations aimed at enhancing equitable access to CAR T. Implementing the recommendations proposed in this policy brief will position Canadian decision-makers to meet the impending surge in CAR T therapy demand while paving the way for equitable access to this groundbreaking treatment. Download the full report to explore these recommendations in detail and learn how they might improve access to CAR T therapy in Canada.