On Monday, the province announced some recent changes to BC PharmaCare coverage that will cover a wide range of medications for a number of medical conditions.
The new and expanded coverage will cover medications and/or treatments for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, severe hypoglycemia, migraines, the treatment of low white blood cell levels, multiple sclerosis (MS), heart failure and birth control.
Etonogestrel (Nexplanon), a long-acting and low-cost contraceptive, has been on the BC PharmaCare formulary (an official list of prescribable medications) since Dec. 7, 2021.
Dapaglifozin (Forxiga) is a new medication used in addition to current therapies for the treatment of heart failure. It was added to BC PharmaCare’s formulary on Jan. 11.
The province explains that this medication has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalizations. The medication is expected to help 10,000 people in the first year.
On Jan. 25, BC PharmaCare made changes to its coverage of two medications used to treat MS. Cladribine (Mavenclad) and siponimod (Mayzent), were added to the formulary and are listed as a limited coverage benefit.
As of April 12, vedolizumab (Entyvio), a medication used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, has a new method of administration covered under BC Pharmacare. Patients can now administer the medication themselves instead of going to a clinic for IV treatments.
On April 15, a glucagon intranasal spray (Baqsimi) became covered as a regular benefit treatment for hypoglycemia.
The province explains this new method will be more accessible than the current injection treatment and could help as many as 2,500, 3,600 and 4,600 people in the first three years, respectively.
On March 22, a filgrastim biosimilar (Nivestym) for the prevention and treatment of low white blood cell levels was added as a limited coverage benefit.
Fremanezumab (Ajovy) was added to formulary on March 29 as a limited coverage benefit for the treatment of chronic and episodic migraines. The Ministry of Health estimates that this medication could help up to 10,000 people each year.
