C$5.5 allocated for osteoarthritis research

Calgary, AB — February 13, 2003 — The federal government has earmarked C$5.5 million for osteoarthritis research, with the aim of supporting a number of new research teams.

Anne McLellan, the federal minister of health and the Allan Rock, the minister of industry, along with Alan Bernstein, president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) made the announcement at a meeting of the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) last week in Calgary.

The IMHA is contributing $3.0 million and the Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN), a member of the Network of Centres of Excellence, is contributing up to $2.5 million over five years for a total of $5.5 million.

“Research is a cornerstone of our health care system and one of the primary keys to building an innovative and evidence-based system for the 21st century,” says Minister McLellan. “This investment will attract some of the best researchers in Canada and improve the health of Canadians with osteoarthritis.”

The CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis is a virtual institute that builds research linkages and relevant research capacity across Canada. IMHA focusses on three priority areas: physical activity, mobility and health; tissue injury, repair and replacement; and pain, disability and chronic disease.

The Canadian Arthritis Network is a not-for-profit organization that promotes integrated, trans-disciplinary research and development. CAN is the single point of contact that links 144 leading Canadian arthritis researchers and clinicians, 40 Canadian academic institutions, The Arthritis Society, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and government.