The Ministry of Health Services has launched a new website that allows patients to be heard on specific drug reviews.
"This new website allows patients to be heard during the decision - making process that affects their everyday lives," said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon in a press release. "British Columbia is the only jurisdiction in Canada to accept input into drug review decisions from individual patients and caregivers, really giving them a voice in shaping their health care."
The website gives eligible patients, caregivers and patient advocacy groups the opportunity to provide their input into the PharmaCare review of several selected drugs. The collection of information and personal input is a vital portion of the review process.
The drugs that are currently up for review include oxybutynin, which is used in the treatment of symptoms of overactive bladder, and calcitriol, which is used in the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.
Those who have signed up for the online subscription will be notified when other drugs come up for review.
All information collected is reviewed by the Drug Benefit Council, an independent advisory body made up of 12 members. They give their recommendations on whether a drug should be covered by PharmaCare or not and how it should be covered. PharmaCare then makes its decision based on recommendations, policy and plans already in place and resources available.
Information on the PharmaCare coverage of many drugs can be found using the new
online PharmaCare Formulary Search.
The website can be found online at www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/yourvoice.
