 |
|
VICTORIA – Patients with an arthritic condition that affects the spinal cord now have more treatment options through government’s approval of three new drug therapies, announced Health Minister George Abbott today.
Beginning March 14, 2008, rheumatologists can apply using specialized forms for coverage of adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) by fax or mail for patients with ankylosing spondylitis who meet the eligibility criteria through the PharmaCare Special Authority program.
“Hundreds of patients and their families in British Columbia are affected by this painful form of arthritis that targets the spine,” said Abbott. “There is no known cure for ankylosing spondylitis but, by adding new treatments, we can expand the number of effective therapies and improve patients’ quality of life.”
The cost for all three drugs is estimated at up to $4 million in the first year of listing and is expected to grow annually. PharmaCare estimates that initially 200 to 250 patients may be eligible to receive coverage for these new drug therapies, and the number of patients who benefit from coverage is expected to grow over time.
“Government’s decision to expand drug coverage for patients with ankylosing spondylitis supports our mandate to promote the best possible care and treatment for people with arthritis in British Columbia,” said Ron Woznow, executive director of the Arthritis Society, BC and Yukon.
In 2006/07, PharmaCare spent $22.4 million on adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
“Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, painful inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting spine and sacroiliac joints, causing eventual fusion of the spine,” said Dr. Bob Offer, a B.C. rheumatologist. “Making new therapies available is great news for patients and their families as it will allow patients to live more active lifestyles, including patients remaining in the workforce, as they are most often young adults.”
Beginning March 14, 2008, rheumatologists can also apply using specialized forms through fax or mail for coverage of infliximab through Special Authority for patients with psoriatic arthritis who meet eligibility requirements. PharmaCare currently provides coverage of etanercept (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira) for psoriatic arthritis.
The Province has supported many recent arthritis initiatives, including:
· New clinical practice guidelines for physicians on rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment were issued in May 2006, which was supported by government through a $1-million grant to the Arthritis Society, BC and Yukon in 2005.
· Patient surveys that capture the patient experience and priorities for the system of care for rheumatoid arthritis in 2004 and osteoarthritis in 2007.
Since 2005, PharmaCare has approved 323 individual drug submissions, of which roughly 235 are generic drugs and approximately 88 are other submission types, including new brand name drugs and new drug indications. Since 2001, government has increased PharmaCare’s budget by $361 million to more than $1 billion in 2007/08.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 920-8500 (cell) 250 952-1889 (media line) |
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
