JointHealth™ express June 5, 2014
Let BCPharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on golimumab intravenous
BC PharmaCare is looking for your input on the intravenous form of golimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The intravenous (IV) form of golimumab (Simponi® IV) is now being considered for coverage under the British Columbia Ministry of Health’s PharmaCare program. By filling out a questionnaire on a website called Your Voice, you can provide feedback about golimumab IV for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
You can give input if you are a B.C. resident and have RA, a caregiver to someone with RA, or if your group represents people who live with RA.
The input is reviewed by the Drug Benefit Council, which then gives recommendations on whether a medication should be covered, and how, by BC PharmaCare. BC PharmaCare then makes a decision based on those recommendations and available resources. Policies and plans already in place also factor in the decision making process.
It is an opportunity for you to share your perspectives on medication decisions that affect you or someone you provide care for. Please click here to let BC PharmaCare hear Your Voice. Or, go to the following links:
Alternatively, you can email us your input at feedback@jointhealth.org or call us at 604-974-1366. We can send it as a patient group on your behalf. Please provide your input to us by Wednesday, June 18 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
About golimumab IV
Health Canada has approved golimumab IV for the treatment of adult patients with RA. Golimumab IV works by blocking the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissues. Golimumab IV, when taken in combination with methotrexate, help improve your ability to do simple daily activities and prevent further damage to your bones and joints, but can also reduce your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.
About rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease with symptoms of inflammation and resulting pain. It is a disease process where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy joints. It is a relatively common disease – approximately 300,000 or 1 in 100 Canadians get it. The disease process causes swelling and pain in and around the joints and can affect the body’s organs, including the eyes, lungs, and heart.
Let BCPharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on golimumab intravenous
BC PharmaCare is looking for your input on the intravenous form of golimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The intravenous (IV) form of golimumab (Simponi® IV) is now being considered for coverage under the British Columbia Ministry of Health’s PharmaCare program. By filling out a questionnaire on a website called Your Voice, you can provide feedback about golimumab IV for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
You can give input if you are a B.C. resident and have RA, a caregiver to someone with RA, or if your group represents people who live with RA.
The input is reviewed by the Drug Benefit Council, which then gives recommendations on whether a medication should be covered, and how, by BC PharmaCare. BC PharmaCare then makes a decision based on those recommendations and available resources. Policies and plans already in place also factor in the decision making process.
It is an opportunity for you to share your perspectives on medication decisions that affect you or someone you provide care for. Please click here to let BC PharmaCare hear Your Voice. Or, go to the following links:
- To view the information sheet for golimumab IV: click here
- For the Patient Questionnaire: click here
- For the Caregiver Questionnaire: click here
- For the Patient Group Questionnaire: click here (Patient groups are required to register their name with the Ministry of Health before making their submission.)
Alternatively, you can email us your input at feedback@jointhealth.org or call us at 604-974-1366. We can send it as a patient group on your behalf. Please provide your input to us by Wednesday, June 18 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
About golimumab IV
Health Canada has approved golimumab IV for the treatment of adult patients with RA. Golimumab IV works by blocking the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissues. Golimumab IV, when taken in combination with methotrexate, help improve your ability to do simple daily activities and prevent further damage to your bones and joints, but can also reduce your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.
About rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease with symptoms of inflammation and resulting pain. It is a disease process where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy joints. It is a relatively common disease – approximately 300,000 or 1 in 100 Canadians get it. The disease process causes swelling and pain in and around the joints and can affect the body’s organs, including the eyes, lungs, and heart.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.