Alzheimer Society of Ontario report urges Canada to prioritize equitable access to Alzheimer's care as disease-modifying therapies enter the health system
The roundtable report sets out seven calls to action to help improve the care pathway for those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias
TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) has released Building equitable access to Alzheimer's disease-modifying therapies in Canada, a report outlining seven actions to help governments and health systems prepare for the delivery of these treatments. It comes as Canada considers how to incorporate new disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) into practical use and what people will need to navigate the pathway from assessment and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care.
Two DMTs for Alzheimer's disease (lecanemab and donanemab) have received Health Canada approval. Canada's Drug Agency has issued a final recommendation supporting public reimbursement of lecanemab under specified conditions and a positive draft recommendation for donanemab. Price negotiations and provincial and territorial coverage decisions remain outstanding.
The report argues that approving or funding a treatment is not enough on its own. People may still face long waits for primary care, specialist assessment or diagnostic testing, along with travel costs and gaps in care coordination. These barriers can delay decisions during the early stages of Alzheimer's when some people may be eligible for treatment.
"Public coverage of a treatment is essential, but it is only one part of access," said Cathy Barrick, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Ontario. "People also need timely assessment, appropriate testing, clear guidance and coordinated follow-up. And everyone, whether or not they are eligible for a disease-modifying therapy, needs access to dementia care and support. The pathway should not depend on where someone lives or how easily they can navigate the system."
The report sets out seven calls to action for governments, public drug plans, health authorities, primary care and community organizations:
- Secure public reimbursement and fund a comprehensive dementia care pathway, including assessment, testing, treatment, monitoring and practical support.
- Establish coordinated dementia-care infrastructure, with clear referrals, follow-up and navigation.
- Reform health technology assessment to better reflect quality of life, lived experience and potential access barriers.
- Expand early-diagnosis capacity, including timely testing, imaging and specialist interpretation.
- Engage and resource primary care with training, assessment capacity and clear referral options.
- Educate the public and healthcare providers about brain health, early assessment, and the benefits and risks of treatment.
- Co-design services with people living with dementia, care partners and communities that may face barriers to care.
DMT access can involve clinical assessment, confirmation of Alzheimer's disease, biomarker testing, MRI scans, specialist review, infusions and continued monitoring. The report stresses that gaps at any stage can make the overall pathway difficult to complete. Travel, lost income, language barriers, health literacy, limited social support, discrimination and trust in the health system can further shape whether someone receives appropriate care.
The report also calls for continued dementia care for people who are not eligible for a DMT or decide it is not right for them. Assessment, it says, should lead to clear information, a care plan and connection to appropriate clinical and community supports.
For more detail, read the report at the ASO website.
About Building equitable access to Alzheimer's disease-modifying therapies in Canada
Building equitable access to Alzheimer's disease-modifying therapies in Canada is a report examining the pathway to DMT access and the broader care system people may need to navigate when living with Alzheimer's disease.
The report draws on an in-person roundtable convened by the Alzheimer Society of Ontario in July 2026. The discussion included twelve participants with expertise in primary care, neurology, geriatric medicine and community service, representing Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia and was supported by a pre-roundtable survey that received 15 responses.
The roundtable and survey involved a small, invited group and should not be interpreted as representative of all Canadians or health and social care providers. People living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early Alzheimer's disease and care partners did not participate directly. The report identifies further work co-designed with people with lived experience and communities likely to face barriers as an important next step.
This initiative was supported by a grant from Eli Lilly Canada. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario independently convened the roundtable, analyzed the findings and retained editorial control over the report and its recommendations.
About Alzheimer Society of Ontario
The Alzheimer Society of Ontario has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ontarians living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. With a network of 27 local Societies across Ontario, we are an integral part of the province's frontline healthcare system, offering programs, support services, and education for people living with dementia, their care partners, and healthcare professionals. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Media contact: Tina Barduhn, Director of Communications, Alzheimer Society of Ontario, 416-847-8910, [email protected]
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