Several multiple sclerosis drugs covered by Pharmacare in every province except B.C.
When Deborah Stefanek was 38 years old, the mother of four from Kimberley, B.C. was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
That was in 2018, and she hoped a healthy lifestyle would enable her to stay off medication. She changed her diet and started an exercise routine. But after an MRI last fall showed her disease is progressing, Stefanek’s neurologist recommended she begin taking a new medication called Kisempta.
The drug’s manufacturer agreed to temporarily provide the medication free of charge while Stefanek looked into coverage through Pharmacare and private insurance.
“And it came back that my husband’s insurance would only cover 45 per cent of the cost of Kesimpta, which would mean we would have to pay $19,000 out of pocket, because B.C. Pharmacare doesn’t cover it,” said Stefanek.
She was shocked to learn every province in Canada covers Kisempta under their Pharmacare plans except B.C. It’s the same situation for a similar drug called Ocrevus. Stefanek’s friend Andrea Rollheiser, who also has RRMS, was told by her neurologist that Ocrevus is the best drug for her, but it too isn’t covered by B.C. Pharmacare.
The province’s health critic Shirley Bond says that’s unacceptable.
“As patients in British Columbians look across the country, British Columbia is an island on this issue unto itself. And it very hard for people to understand why other jurisdictions, including the one next door to us, can figure out how to cover these drugs,” said Bond, who believes it’s all about cost.
Roche Canada, the maker of Ocrevus, is hoping the B.C. government will reverse course and cover both drugs, which are approved by Health Canada and have been proven to reduce the number and severity of MS relapses.
“All of the other provincial governments have made the decision to make this medicine available, they felt it was a valuable medicine for those living with MS in thier province. And we are equally hopeful that we can have a discussion with the government of British Columbia so that a similar decision can be made,” said Roche Canada president and CEO Brigitte Nolet.
Bond says the opposition will continue to push the government to reconsider its decision on Kesimpta and Ocrevus. And she hopes patients keep speaking out.
“I think it is important for people to speak up and remind the government, and certainly we are doing that as well, that other jurisdictions have figured this out, have approved it. And MS patients, particularly those that suffer from relapse, are being treated differently in B.C. than the rest of the country,” said Bond.
Stefanek says with the bridge financing from the drug company now over, she can only remain on Kestimpa if it’s covered by Pharmacare.
“As it stands right now, we cannot afford that $19,000. So currently, I’m not on the medication,” she said.
And that has her worried she’s at risk for relapse, which could leave her bedridden and unable to care for her kids.
“I need to keep moving, being able to support them and provide for them,” Stefanek said. “If I’m sick, I’m no good to anybody.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality alerts issued as wildfire smoke spreads east from Western Canada
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy license bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
LIVE UPDATES Michael Cohen will face a bruising cross-examination by Trump's lawyers at the hush money trial
Donald Trump’s fixer-turned-foe returns to the witness stand Tuesday for a bruising round of questioning from the former president’s lawyers.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Risks of handcuffing someone facedown long known; people die when police training fails to keep up
For decades, police across the United States have been warned that the common tactic of handcuffing someone facedown could turn deadly if officers pin them on the ground with too much pressure or for too long.
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
Sunchips, Munchies recalled by Frito Lay Canada for possible salmonella contamination
Frito Lay Canada is recalling two of its most popular snacks due to a possible risk of salmonella contamination.