Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Jun, 2023 01:41 PM
  • B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

B-C is expanding the program it uses to help patients kick their dependence on opioids.

A statement from the Health Ministry says B-C will now provide universal coverage for eligible drugs -- which include methadone -- that are rated as opioid agonist treatment medications.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside says removing cost barriers to medication-assisted treatment "will help more people stabilize their lives, prevent deaths and stay on their journey to wellness."

The statement says the expanded program differs from safer supply -- which provides alternatives to illicit drugs -- and will help the roughly 16-hundred B-C patients who can't get PharmaCare coverage for the drugs needed to manage their opioid-use disorder.

British Columbia says it is providing universal coverage for opioid agonist treatments that help people with substance use disorders, making it the first province in Canada to do so.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a news release issued Wednesday that full coverage of the medications will be available to all B.C. residents with an active medical services plan.

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, Jennifer Whiteside, said the policy became effective June 6, and expands full coverage to approximately 1,638 people who had been paying out of pocket, out of a total of 34,520 who had been receiving the treatments in B.C. last year.

Dix said improving access to the medication strengthens the public health system.

"By reducing financial barriers to opioid agonist treatment medication, we're making it easier for people to get the care they need and helping to create more equitable health outcomes for people in B.C."

Opioid agonist treatment involves the use of medications such as methadone, and the ministry said it is distinct from safer supply, in which "pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit drugs" are prescribed in order to initially separate people from the toxic street-drug market.

The agonist treatment has been proven to work by keeping people from illicit opioid use, which reduces the risk of death, the news release said.

The move comes amid pushback from B.C. health officials against criticism of the province's safe supply program and drug policies by federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre and others.

Whiteside, said in the statement the coverage removes cost barriers to opioid treatments and will help people "stabilize their lives, prevent deaths and stay on their journey to wellness."

"The toxic drug crisis continues to claim lives at an unprecedented rate. When people reach out for help, we want them met with support regardless of the size of their pocketbook," Whiteside said.

More than 12,000 people have died because of illicit drugs since the B.C. government declared a public health emergency in April 2016.

MORE National ARTICLES

Job action at Capilano U in B.C., as contracts inked with staff at five other schools

Job action at Capilano U in B.C., as contracts inked with staff at five other schools
A statement on the university's website says classes are suspended at its main campus and its Sechelt campus on the Sunshine Coast.  The job action comes as the Ministry of Finance announces agreements affecting about 2,100 public sector CUPE support staff at five post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Job action at Capilano U in B.C., as contracts inked with staff at five other schools

Dead body found in Kelowna

Dead body found in Kelowna
Mounties say a man has been found dead in Kelowna. They say officers responded to a report of the body in the area of McCulloch Road at Myra Forest Service Road around 8 a-m Sunday.

Dead body found in Kelowna

Fatal fire in North Vancouver

Fatal fire in North Vancouver
Mounties and firefighters in North Vancouver say one person died in a house fire in the city. The North Vancouver R-C-M-P and the city's fire department say they are investigating Friday's blaze in the 400-block of Queensbury Avenue.  

Fatal fire in North Vancouver

B.C. officials push back on safe supply critics, seeing 'no sign' drugs are diverted

B.C. officials push back on safe supply critics, seeing 'no sign' drugs are diverted
B.C.'s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe — who joined Charlesworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry at a news briefing — says toxicology tests show hydromorphone hasn't been present in any significant number of deaths.

B.C. officials push back on safe supply critics, seeing 'no sign' drugs are diverted

Uber operational in Victoria & Kelowna tomorrow

Uber operational in Victoria & Kelowna tomorrow
Residents in Victoria and Kelowna will be able to catch a ride with Uber starting tomorrow. The ride-hailing giant says service will go live at noon for the two major B-C cities after years of trying to get into the market.  

Uber operational in Victoria & Kelowna tomorrow

Targeting retail theft leads to 26 arrests, thousands in stolen merchandise

Targeting retail theft leads to 26 arrests, thousands in stolen merchandise
In one day, police made 26 arrests, including executing five arrest warrants, and recommended 15 criminal charges. Over $5,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered including, food, clothing, electronics, and cosmetics. 

Targeting retail theft leads to 26 arrests, thousands in stolen merchandise