VICTORIA, BC/CMEDIA: The govt of British Columbia is reportedly being called in a meeting held by the Medicines Access Coalition of BC (MedAccess BC) with MLAs in Victoria to discuss gaps in BC’s public medication coverage to provide equitable and timely access to the same innovative therapies available to patients in other provinces.
As a unified voice for patients facing barriers to treatment, MedAccess BC represents over 30 chronic disease-specific patient organizations.
Since the release of the 2024 BC Medication Coverage Report, the recently released 2025 BC Medication Coverage Report provides an updated advocacy and awareness effort.
Produced by the Gastrointestinal (GI) Society, a member of MedAccess BC, the report highlights the limited changes that have taken place to ensure equitable coverage of lifesaving and life-altering treatments for patients in BC over the past year.
Also emphasizing on the opportunities for improving access to therapies, the report will be limited by a PharmaCare budget stagnant over the next three years while all other parts of the health system receive increased investment.
Being concerned about BC’s ranking as having the fewest covered medications, the coalition also points out its lowest per-capita spending on its drug plan in Canada .
MedAccess BC sees a path forward despite these challenges.
“We believe that BC…same innovative therapies available in other provinces to improve health outcomes for all…want to work with Health Minister Josie Osborne…BC Government build a path toward timely and equitable access to the most innovative and effective therapies,” Jamie Myrah, Co-Chair of MedAccess BC was reported to say.
About the Medicines Access Coalition of BC:
Representing over 30 patient organizations, MedAccess BC has been working since 1997 to improve access to evidence-based medicines through BC’s PharmaCare program advocating for improved access to medications and health technologies for individuals with chronic diseases.
About the British Columbia Medication Coverage Report:
Released on April 10th by the GI Society’s British Columbia Medication Coverage Report updated its 2024 report reveled only 4 of the 30+ medications mentioned in the original report have been granted limited coverage under Pharmacare.
