National

B.C. PharmaCare expands coverage, adds medications

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 May, 2022 01:01 PM

VICTORIA - The Ministry of Health says thousands of eligible British Columbians are benefiting from expanded coverage for medications that make it easier or more effective to treat their conditions.

A statement from the Health Ministry says BC PharmaCare has been rolling out new or expanded coverage for a range of medications since late last year.

The drugs treat conditions including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, severely low blood sugar, migraines, low white blood cell levels, multiple sclerosis and heart failure.

The ministry says the new treatment covered for colitis or Crohn's disease can be administered by the patient rather than requiring a visit to a clinic, while a nasal spray is now available for the treatment of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, eliminating regular injections for thousands with that condition.

The ministry estimates at least 10,000 patients with migraines will gain from the addition of another drug to the official list of medicines, and the same number of patients with a specific type of heart failure will be eligible for a drug that dramatically cuts hospitalizations and the risk of death.

PharmaCare coverage has also been expanded to include what the ministry says is a long-acting, highly effective birth control drug that is implanted in the patient's upper arm as an alternative, low-cost option to birth control pills or intrauterine devices.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Port Moody Police struggle to break up a crowd of 150 intoxicated youth

More than 150 youth had gathered in the park – many of which were under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants. One youth climbed on to a police car, attempting to damage the cruiser.

Port Moody Police struggle to break up a crowd of 150 intoxicated youth

788 arrested in B.C. since logging protest began

In a news release, the RCMP say protesters tried to dig trenches along the Granite Mainline Forest Service Road and parked vehicles to prevent officers from leaving but the shallow pits were refilled and automobiles were towed.

788 arrested in B.C. since logging protest began

Mask mandate returns in British Columbia

Henry says about 75 per cent of B.C. residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but that number needs to be higher as the Delta variant drives up case counts, putting those who are unvaccinated at greater risk of contracting the virus.

Mask mandate returns in British Columbia

Trudeau mum on U.S. Afghan deadline ahead of G7

Trudeau joined a special virtual meeting of the G7 leaders Tuesday on the crisis in Afghanistan and President Joe Biden is expected to face calls from some fellow leaders to extend the U.S. military commitment to the country beyond his Aug. 31 deadline.

Trudeau mum on U.S. Afghan deadline ahead of G7

COVID-19 plan unveiled for B.C. schools, students grade 4 to 12 required to wear masks in school when classes return in September

Students grade 4 to 12, staff, teachers, visitors and administers will be required to wear masks in school when classes return in September in BC. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says it will be full, in person learning. The mask mandate is for indoor spaces, like last school year. Extra curriculars will be back.

COVID-19 plan unveiled for B.C. schools, students grade 4 to 12 required to wear masks in school when classes return in September

Number of active wildfires in B.C. remains at 250

Fire information officer Taylor Colman says crews are seeing between three and five fires start each day compared with about 40 in July. She says most of the wildfires of note — including White Rock Lake at about 810 square kilometres and Lytton Creek at 845 square kilometres — have not seen much growth.