B.C. Pharmacare approval of Infertility meds???

BeetleGirl · 08-12-2008, 02:42 PM

For those of you living in BC, do you know if the Pharmacare director has approved infertility meds???

I was going through my health benefits booklet yesterday and reviewing my benefits that come into effect in 2 weeks.
There is absolutely no mention of infertility drugs not being covered, but does mention that it doesn't cover meds that have not been authorized for payment by the director of the pharmacare program.

Below I have included a list of the only meds that I couldn't covered under the Pharmacare plan. No where can I find anything that says infertility meds aren't covered or approved. Since moving to BC we haven't qualified for Pharmacare but I am still curious to know if infertility meds will be covered under my benefits plan. So please share anything that you might know about Pharmacare & infertility meds.

Pharmacare Website

What is not covered through PharmaCare

Drugs administered in hospitals and emergency departments (these are funded through the local health authority)
Cancer drugs (funded by PharmaCare but provided through the BC Cancer Agency)
Anti-retroviral medications (these are available at no charge through the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS)
Transplant medications (these are available through the BC Transplant Society)
Kidney dialysis medications (available through the BC Renal Agency)
Eyeglasses
Baby formula
Hearing aids or hearing aid batteries
Drugs prescribed by a veterinarian
Herbal medicine products
Bandages
Artificial sweeteners
Most over-the-counter medications
Wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical devices
Drug costs that have been fully reimbursed by another insurer (including private insurers, Veterans' Affairs Canada, the Canadian Forces, the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, and the RCMP).
Drugs or supplies purchased outside of British Columbia
Mail-order prescriptions requested from companies or pharmacies located outside the province
Repeat prescriptions required during an extended absence from B.C.
Drug costs above the maximum price recognized by PharmaCare
Dispensing fees above the maximum dispensing fee recognized by PharmaCare.

And under another section of their site, I found the following...

The following categories of drugs are not eligible for Special Authority:

Drugs included as part of a private clinical trial
Smoking cessation aids
Diet therapy
Drugs classified as or used for cosmetic purposes
Drugs still under review by PharmaCare.

If anyone here is part of any of the Health workers Unions in BC/ or works for any major health authority, and you have med or treatment coverage please let me know!