By The Canadian Press

B.C. expands drug program touted as saving money but patients say it costs them

Jun 1, 2016 | 2:47 PM

VANCOUVER — British Columbia has expanded a drug program that provides patients with cheaper medications to treat the same illness, but critics say seniors and low-income people will be forced to pay out of pocket if they can’t switch to alternatives.

As of Dec. 1, the Reference Drug Program will include three new categories of drugs: some that treat high blood pressure and heart disease, others for stomach-acid issues, and statins that treat high cholesterol.

Cheaper categories of other drugs that treat high blood pressure and heart disease have also been added to the program, along with another class of medications for stomach-acid conditions.

Nitrates, for people suffering from heart disease, and a class of drugs that treat pain and reduce inflammation are already part of the program.

Cheryl Koehn, who speaks for the advocacy group Arthritis Consumer Experts, says thousands of patients who may have to switch to cheaper drugs will be affected by the changes.

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Koehn says that while she has a private drug plan that covers the cost of the rheumatoid arthritis medication she’s taken for years, others will have to pay out of pocket or switch to a cheaper alternative that may not be as effective.