With almost 1.5 million people living with diabetes or pre-diabetes in the province, British Columbia has a big problem.
People with diabetes are over three times more likely to be hospitalized for heart-related issues and can develop heart disease 10 to 15 years earlier than people without diabetes. Ultimately, up to 80 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes will die of heart attack or stroke.
Since 2014, there have been new diabetes treatment options available in Canada (known as SGLT2s) that lower blood sugar levels effectively, while also reducing the risk of death from heart disease.
British Columbia is the only province in Canada that asks residents to pay for these life-saving medications out of pocket, instead of covering them through provincially-funded drug programs.
Dr. Maureen Clement, Family Physician and co-author of Diabetes Canada's Clinical Practice guidelines is frustrated, "These drugs have been shown across many studies to save the lives of people with Type 2."
Dr. Clement suggests that anyone who agrees that BC should provide Pharmacare coverage for these drugs, should contract their MLA and voice their opinion.
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