The Institute of Health Economics has published a policy paper recommending Alberta establish a comprehensive registry of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients that will capture important information about the safety and effectiveness of the different therapies available. The IHE says the limited scope of Alberta’s current registry is no longer sufficient, especially in light of the growing use of biologic agents, which treat RA by altering the body’s immune response. It says Alberta needs greater capability to monitor for adverse effects of biologic agents, whose long-term effects are unknown, and to compare the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of current and future therapies. Download Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Policy Perspective: A Registry for Research and Better Treatment of Albertans.