Patients who experience severe breathing conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema will benefit from PharmaCare coverage for the medication tiotropium, also known as Spiriva, announced Health Minister George Abbott.
?Anyone who has had difficulty breathing knows how terrifying these diseases can be,? said Abbott. ?Our government is now adding this additional treatment option to help them breathe easier and improve their quality of life. This medication can give new hope to patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that have not been responsive to other treatments.?
Government worked with respirologists and other B.C health professionals for more than a year to develop criteria to benefit Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients.
PharmaCare estimates that initially 6,000 patients may receive coverage for tiotropium at a cost of up to $3 million or more, and the number of patients who benefit from coverage will continue to grow over time.
Approximately 53,000 British Columbians are being treated with drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients with moderate to severe COPD will be eligible for access to tiotropium if treatment with the standard drug therapy is not successful after a three-month trial.
?Making this therapy available is great news for COPD patients and their loved ones,? said Dr. Frank Ervin, president of the BC Thoracic Society. ?Patients who suffer from severe COPD will be very grateful to PharmaCare for including this drug in its formulary. Many of these patients will now enjoy a much improved quality of life and be less likely to require emergency treatment for their disease. On behalf of the BC Thoracic Society, I would like to recognize the leadership and vision PharmaCare and the Ministry of Health displayed in this decision.”
Physicians can begin to apply for Special Authority coverage of tiotropium (Spiriva) using specialized forms by fax or mail beginning July 3, 2007 for patients who meet the eligibility criteria.