Whereas thousands of British Columbia residents face life-threatening conditions which can trigger imminent death if not treated immediately, such as allergic reactions, asthma and type 1 diabetes, creating a hardship for many families that must choose between meeting their basic needs and paying for these lifesaving medications; And whereas Naloxone and other drug overdose reversing medications are covered free of charge by the Province: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government develop an equitable system that would make available, free of charge, all medications which could halt immediate death.
Ministry of Health There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of opioid overdose deaths in B.C. in recent years. Opioid overdose has become the leading cause of accidental death in the province, now far surpassing all deaths associated with motor vehicles. As part of the response to this public health emergency, the Government of B.C. has increased the availability of naloxone in the first responder community as well as among community workers, volunteers and individuals. Due to the life circumstances of the majority of those addicted to opioids, the BC Center for Disease Control decided to make naloxone kits and the training to use them available at no cost. The Government does not condone or support illegal behaviour. The aim of needle exchange programs, supervised injection services, and the naloxone program is to reduce avoidable illnesses, associated health system costs, and overall harm to society. For instance, methadone maintenance treatment and needle exchange programs mean fewer shared needles, which help to curb the spread of diseases such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus and lower the health costs associated with those diseases. These programs also help to reduce the property and violent crime associated with illegal drug use and the black market surrounding it. PharmaCare is the Ministry of Health the Ministry program that helps B.C. residents with the costs of many eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies. PharmaCare provides one of the most generous diabetes coverage programs in Canada, spending over 76.9 million on diabetes medications and supplies in 201718. Those living with diabetes are covered more broadly in British Columbia than in many other provinces. PharmaCare covers a number of effective therapies for treating and managing diabetes, either as full or special authority benefits, including 10 oral medications, and approximately 25 different injectable insulin products. Diabetes is the only disease for which PharmaCare covers non-drug supplies, like blood glucose test strips, needles, syringes, and insulin pump infusion sets. In addition, PharmaCare covers the cost of insulin pump reservoirscartridges for patients of all ages who use insulin pumps to manage their diabetes. In 201718, PharmaCares expenditure for insulin pumps supplies was 5.01 million. PharmaCare also provides full coverage of certain medications for the treatment and management of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Medication such as epinephrine EpiPen Auto-Injector for treatment of allergic reactions is also fully covered by PharmaCare, subject to the rules of a patients PharmaCare plan, including any deductible requirement. As you are aware, BCs Fair PharmaCare plan provides B.C. families with coverage for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies based on their net income as reported on Line236 of their federal tax form from two years ago. The lower a familys income, the more help they receive. Families pay the full cost of eligible prescription drugs until they reach their deductible, at which time Fair PharmaCare begins paying 70percent of eligible costs for families that include someone born before1940, Fair PharmaCare pays 75percent, and the family is responsible for a co-pay of 30percent or 25percent if born before 1940. Once they reach their family maximum, Fair PharmaCare pays 100percent of eligible costs for the remainder of the year. The Ministry recently announced it will reduce and even eliminate theFair PharmaCare deductible for the lowest income residents inthe province, helping to make sure they get the prescription medicines and medical devices they needbutare currentlystruggling to afford. As of January1,2019, families with net annual incomes between 15,001and30,000 no longer have a deductible. Co-payments will also be lowered for families with net incomes of 45,000 and less, and families with a net income of13,750 and less will no longer have co-payments. PharmaNet data, Health Sector Information, Analysis and Reporting, October 4, 2018.