As British Columbians head to the polls on October 19, the Gastrointestinal Society is drawing attention to a critical issue: BC PharmaCare’s refusal to fund over 30 essential medications that are covered in most other provinces. This gap in coverage has left many British Columbians without access to life-saving treatments. The BC Medication Coverage Report reveals that patients with conditions such as digestive diseases, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, skin disorders, and other common health issues are being denied necessary medications. These patients are faced with tough decisions: either relocate to another province or suffer serious health consequences due to limited treatment options.
One heart-wrenching case is that of a three-year-old girl with short bowel syndrome (SBS), a rare and severe condition that causes dehydration, malnutrition, fatigue, and stunted growth. The only available treatment for SBS is Revestive® (teduglutide), a drug developed in Canada and publicly funded in all provinces except Prince Edward Island, where no SBS cases exist, and BC. The government’s refusal to cover Revestive® forces children to rely on total parenteral nutrition via intravenous lines, severely affecting their quality of life.
Christine Langley, who cares for her granddaughter with SBS, shared her experience: “My granddaughter’s life was transformed after starting Revestive®. She can now eat and drink normally, something we never thought possible. But we only have access to this drug through compassionate use from the manufacturer because BC PharmaCare deems it too expensive. This isn’t about thorough evaluation; it’s about neglecting patient care.”
Revestive®’s denial is part of a broader issue in BC. Between 2018 and 2023, BC PharmaCare rejected funding for 31 medications approved in most other provinces, while Ontario and Alberta declined only two or three. In 2022, BC spent just $257 per person on prescription drugs, far below the national average of $442, reflecting a severe healthcare funding gap.
“Despite our ongoing efforts to engage Health Minister Adrian Dix and Premier David Eby since 2023, including the release of the Coverage Report in January 2024, these BC NDP leaders have remained unresponsive,” said Gail Attara, President and CEO of the Gastrointestinal Society. “Their prolonged inaction is an injustice to patients who continue to suffer due to underfunding and lack of access to essential medications.”
As the provincial election approaches, the Gastrointestinal Society, alongside the MedAccessBC Coalition, is calling on the BC government to prioritize equitable access to essential medicines. This election is a pivotal moment for British Columbians to demand better healthcare access and ensure no patient is left behind.
