Honourable Adrian Dix, MLA
Minister of Health
Room 337, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C. V8V 2L8
Dear Minister Dix,
I am writing today to urge you to immediately take action to expand access to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) drugs Kisempta and Ocrevus, ensuring they are covered under B.C. Pharmacare.
These two drugs are recommended by physicians and have been shown to dramatically reduce the symptoms of MS and improve patients’ quality of life. Kisempta is already covered in both Ontario and Quebec, while Ocrevus is covered in every other province in Canada — B.C. stands alone in denying people affordable access to the vital medication.
We know that right now there are people across B.C. who desperately need these medications, recommended by their doctors, and yet cannot take them due to their current prohibitive cost. It makes no sense that B.C. is continuing to deny access to these potentially life-changing treatments, especially considering their availability in other provinces.
British Columbians should have equal access to medication as people in other parts of our country. For the sake of people living with MS in B.C., and their families, it is time for the Province to start covering Kisempta and Ocrevus under B.C. Pharmacare.
Multiple Sclerosis patients and their loved ones cannot afford to wait any longer for our province to take this straightforward, and much-needed, step.
On behalf of the Official Opposition, and people in B.C. living with MS, I implore you to take action to ensure these drugs are available and affordable for every British Columbian who needs them.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Shirley Bond
BC United Shadow Minister for Health, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care
MLA, Prince George-Valemount
Cc: MLA Doug Clovechok, Columbia River-Revelstoke
