The Canadian Cancer Action Network is an umbrella organization representing the views and interests of the patient community. Through partnerships, resource sharing, and knowledge transfer, its role is to ensure that the work underway moves forward in unison to help accelerate the national cancer control strategy, avoid duplication and advance shared areas of interest to patients.

Listen as Marjorie Morrison, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Action Network, talks about the important role patient advocacy groups are playing in today’s complex drug approval process and how the new Patient Health Technology Assessment Navigator is helping to shape the country’s drug review system. Through their partnership with the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR) the CCAN ensures that patient perspectives, in addition to clinical evidence and cost effectiveness, are carefully considered when making recommendations that guide provincial drug funding decisions.

She also discusses the growing awareness and interest in clinical trials among cancer patients and caregivers, and offers advice and recommendations to biotech and pharma sponsors on how they can help improve drug development education and access in Canada.