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
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows. The village has been a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.