JointHealth™ express March 18, 2015
Let BC PharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on apremilast for plaque psoriasis
BC PharmaCare is looking for your input on apremilast for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
Taken orally, apremilast (Otezla®) 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 apremilast for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
You can give input if you are a B.C. resident and have plaque psoriasis (with or without psoriatic arthritis), a caregiver to someone with plaque psoriasis, or if your group represents people who live with plaque psorisais.
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, April 6 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
About apremilast
Apremilast is an oral, small-molecule compound, taken as two tablets twice a day. It was issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for photography or systemic therapy. The medication works by inhibiting the action of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4). PDE4 is an enzyme found in immune cells.
About plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a type of psoriasis – an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. These patches or plaques often show up on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back. They are often itchy and painful, and they can crack and bleed. Psoriasis is considered a significant risk factor for developing psoriatic arthritis – up to 30% of people diagnosed with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis.
Let BC PharmaCare hear “Your Voice” on apremilast for plaque psoriasis
BC PharmaCare is looking for your input on apremilast for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
Taken orally, apremilast (Otezla®) 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 apremilast for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
You can give input if you are a B.C. resident and have plaque psoriasis (with or without psoriatic arthritis), a caregiver to someone with plaque psoriasis, or if your group represents people who live with plaque psorisais.
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 apremilast: 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, April 6 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
About apremilast
Apremilast is an oral, small-molecule compound, taken as two tablets twice a day. It was issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for photography or systemic therapy. The medication works by inhibiting the action of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4). PDE4 is an enzyme found in immune cells.
About plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a type of psoriasis – an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. These patches or plaques often show up on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back. They are often itchy and painful, and they can crack and bleed. Psoriasis is considered a significant risk factor for developing psoriatic arthritis – up to 30% of people diagnosed with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.