JointHealth™ express February 25, 2015
Let BC PharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on tofacitinib
Let BC PharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis
Taken orally, tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) 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 tofacitinib for the treatment of 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 Monday, March 16 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
About tofacitinib
Tofacitinib is an oral disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that was issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada on April 17, 2014. Tofacitinib in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for reducing the signs and symptoms of RA, in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA who have had an inadequate response to MTX. In cases of intolerance to MTX, physicians may consider the use of tofacitinib as monotherapy.
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 BC PharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on tofacitinib
Let BC PharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis
Taken orally, tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) 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 tofacitinib for the treatment of 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 tofacitinib: 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 Monday, March 16 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
About tofacitinib
Tofacitinib is an oral disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that was issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada on April 17, 2014. Tofacitinib in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for reducing the signs and symptoms of RA, in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA who have had an inadequate response to MTX. In cases of intolerance to MTX, physicians may consider the use of tofacitinib as monotherapy.
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.