JointHealth™ express June 24, 2016
Let BC PharmaCare hear "Your Voice" on secukinumab
BC PharmaCare is looking for your input on secukinumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets IL-17A, a protein central to the development of inflammatory diseases. It is given by an injection. The drug 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 secukinumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
You can give input if you are a B.C. resident and have AS or PsA, a caregiver to someone with AS or PsA, or if your group represents people who live with AS or PsA.
The submission deadline is midnight on July 21, 2016. Patients and caregivers may give their input directly through the links below.
If you would like our help in providing your input, you can email us your input at feedback@jointhealth.org or call us at 604-974-1366. We can send it as a patient organization on your behalf. Please provide your input to us by Monday, July 18 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
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:
Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets IL-17A, a protein central to the development of inflammatory diseases. It is given by an injection. In April 2016, secukinumab was issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy and for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.
About ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis. It is estimated to affect up to 1 in 200 people. Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine, but can also involve the hips, knees, shoulders, and rib cage. The most common symptom of AS is long-term back pain, along with spinal stiffness in the morning or after a long period of rest.
About psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis which causes swelling and pain in and around joints, as well as a scaly rash on the skin. Joints most commonly affected are the fingers, wrists, toes, knees, shoulders, elbows, and ankles. Psoriatic arthritis affects men and women in equal numbers, and like many forms of inflammatory arthritis, it tends to strike people in the prime of their lives; most commonly, people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.
Let BC PharmaCare hear "Your Voice" on secukinumab
BC PharmaCare is looking for your input on secukinumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets IL-17A, a protein central to the development of inflammatory diseases. It is given by an injection. The drug 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 secukinumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
You can give input if you are a B.C. resident and have AS or PsA, a caregiver to someone with AS or PsA, or if your group represents people who live with AS or PsA.
The submission deadline is midnight on July 21, 2016. Patients and caregivers may give their input directly through the links below.
If you would like our help in providing your input, you can email us your input at feedback@jointhealth.org or call us at 604-974-1366. We can send it as a patient organization on your behalf. Please provide your input to us by Monday, July 18 so that we may submit the questionnaire in time for the deadline.
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 secukinumab for ankylosing spondylitis: click here
- To view the information sheet for secukinumab for psoriatic arthritis: click here
- For the Patient Questionnaire: Please click on ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis
- For the Caregiver Questionnaire: Please click on ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis
- For the Patient Group Questionnaire: Please click on ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis (Patient groups are required to register their name with the Ministry of Health before making their submission.)
Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets IL-17A, a protein central to the development of inflammatory diseases. It is given by an injection. In April 2016, secukinumab was issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy and for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.
About ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis. It is estimated to affect up to 1 in 200 people. Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine, but can also involve the hips, knees, shoulders, and rib cage. The most common symptom of AS is long-term back pain, along with spinal stiffness in the morning or after a long period of rest.
About psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis which causes swelling and pain in and around joints, as well as a scaly rash on the skin. Joints most commonly affected are the fingers, wrists, toes, knees, shoulders, elbows, and ankles. Psoriatic arthritis affects men and women in equal numbers, and like many forms of inflammatory arthritis, it tends to strike people in the prime of their lives; most commonly, people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.