PROCURE joins the Coalition Against Exclusion
PROCURE joins the Coalition Against Exclusion
September 23, 2026
MONTRÉAL — PROCURE is joining the Coalition Against Exclusion, which advocates for treatments for several conditions that profoundly affect millions of people in Quebec to no longer be excluded from eligibility for reimbursement.
PROCURE joins Obesity Matters, Diabetes Québec, the Quebec Lung Association and the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation as part of this coalition, which serves as a voice for patients. It brings together patient organizations, citizens and clinical experts who witness the impact of these conditions on the lives of Quebecers every day.
In Quebec, medications used to treat certain chronic and complex conditions, such as obesity, alopecia, cachexia and erectile dysfunction, are currently included on an exclusion list administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
The Coalition is calling for INESSS, Quebec’s clinical expert body, to be able to review the scientific evidence and make recommendations regarding reimbursement for treatments approved by Health Canada for these conditions. Currently, their inclusion on the RAMQ exclusion list prevents such an assessment.
A very real issue for men affected by prostate cancer
Sexual dysfunction is one of the possible consequences of prostate cancer treatment and can have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected men. Data reported in the literature indicate¹ that 70% to 92% of patients report sexual dysfunction following treatment, while 81% to 93% report a negative impact on their sex life.
Beyond sexual function, the consequences can also affect body image, self-esteem, psychological well-being and interpersonal relationships. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and mood disorders related to sexual dysfunction have also been reported.² ³
An approach supported by Quebecers
A survey conducted in July 2026 among 1,000 respondents in Quebec found that 80% consider treatments aimed at restoring erectile function following prostate cancer treatment to be essential to patients’ dignity and mental health. In addition, 78% of respondents were unaware that a list of excluded conditions exists in Quebec.
By joining the Coalition Against Exclusion, PROCURE reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the interests of men affected by prostate cancer and to supporting an approach in which treatments can be evaluated based on scientific evidence rather than being excluded from the outset. The Coalition also emphasizes that its initiative is not seeking automatic reimbursement, but rather the opportunity for INESSS to assess these treatments in the same way as treatments for other medical conditions.
About PROCURE
Every day, 18 Quebecers are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Since 2003, PROCURE has been the only charitable organization in Quebec entirely dedicated to the fight against prostate cancer through research, awareness, information and support. PROCURE is recognized by the Association des urologues du Québec and the Canadian Urological Association.
¹ Lehto US, Tenhola H, Taari K, Aromaa A. Patients’ perceptions of the negative effects following different prostate cancer treatments and the impact on psychological well-being: A nationwide survey. Br J Cancer. 2017;116(7):864–73.
² Harrington JM, Jones EG, Badger T. Body image perceptions in men with prostate cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2009;36(2):167–72.
³ Watson E, Shinkins B, Frith E, Neal D, Hamdy F, Walter F, et al. Symptoms, unmet needs, psychological well-being and health status in survivors of prostate cancer: Implications for redesigning follow-up. BJU Int. 2016;117(6B):E10–9.