Expanded Access to Prescription Drugs for Low Income Families

Photo Credit: Unsplash User Chayene Rafaela

First Call BC have shared a January 4, 2019, article by Cherise Seucharan for The Star Vancouver, reporting on the changes to the province’s Fair Pharmacare program, effective January 1, that eliminate the deductible paid on prescription drugs for families earning a net income of $30,000 or less annually, representing savings of up to $600 a year.

The article includes an interview with Adrian Dix, provincial Minister of Health, who said that coverage had been expanded to address the issue of families having to forego prescription drugs in order to afford the necessities of life such as food and housing, thus exacerbating existing health issues.

The new funding means that, for families earning below $13,750, all fees are eliminated.

The new changes to Fair Pharmacare, the first in 15 years, are expected to affect 240,000 families across BC. Helesia Luke, communications co-ordinator at First Call BC noted, “Any efforts governments can make to lower the barriers and provide more access for families and children to get those necessary medications is really a positive move. This will have a big impact on families.”