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

Mary Simon to be Canada's first Indigenous GG

Mary Simon, an Inuk leader and former diplomat, described her appointment as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role — as a “step forward on the long path to reconciliation.”

Mary Simon to be Canada's first Indigenous GG

Lightning adds to wildfire woes in B.C.

The BC Wildfire Service says 212 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as lightning storms swept over several areas of the province. The wildfire service website shows more than three dozen small fires have been sparked across all regions except the Coastal Fire Centre.

Lightning adds to wildfire woes in B.C.

B.C. police watchdog investigating man's death

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says the man was arrested Canada Day following what is described as an "incident" at a business.

B.C. police watchdog investigating man's death

Buying illegal cannabis puts money into the hands of criminals

Officers conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle associated to the property and arrested the driver. Further investigation led to the seizure of approximately 1 kilogram of dried cannabis and $35,000 cash.

Buying illegal cannabis puts money into the hands of criminals

87 COVID19 cases over 3 days

More than 78 per cent of those eligible in B.C. have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 36 per cent have had their second shot.

87 COVID19 cases over 3 days

Possible tornado touched down in northern B.C.

Environment Canada is investigating the possibility that a tornado swept through the Fort St. John area in northern B.C. Meteorologist Doug Lundquist says the powerful system started above the wildfires in the Interior last week, on the same day much of the town of Lytton was destroyed by a fire.