A B.C. doctor is calling on the provincial government to cover medications for obesity, which she believes will put an end to what she calls a “two-tiered system” for those overweight.
Diabetes and obesity specialist Dr. Ali Zentner launched a petition demanding that medications like semaglutide and liraglutide be included under B.C.’s PharmaCare.
The drugs are anti-diabetic and anti-obesity medications which can cost patients up to $450 per month.
“We acknowledge that in today’s healthcare system OBESITY CARE in general is lacking and pharmacotherapy for obesity is not covered under Pharmacare,” reads the petition. “Instead patients are required to pay for medication out of pocket or have special coverage through third party insurance. As such we have created a TWO TIERED SYSTEM for obesity care in BC.”
“We challenge the government to stop the weight bias and cover obesity medications under Pharmacare. We know that obesity is a DISEASE and not the fault of the patient,” continued the petition.
According to Statistics Canada data recorded in 2018, around 23% of B.C. adults are obese, however, weight management medications are not currently covered under B.C. PharmaCare.
Zentner, who works with the Vancouver-based Revolution Medical Clinic told CBC News that she spoke with B.C. Premier David Eby directly in a meeting last year but that little action has been taken on the issue thus far.
“The premier thanked me for my time and passed it onto the minister of health, who has passed it onto PharmaCare who is waiting for (Canada’s drug agency),” she said. “So it keeps getting kicked down the line.”
B.C.’s Ministry of Health did not respond to True North for comment.
Munk senior fellow Dr. Shawn Whatley said that drugs like Ozempic have “transformed diabetes and obesity care.”
“People lose 100 lbs and more (safely). They can get off all their other meds (often 5 or 6 different prescriptions),” Whatley told True North. .
However, B.C.’s Ministry of Health only covers Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes treatment, not weight loss.
In a statement to CBC News, the province’s Ministry of Health said that Canada’s Drug Agency recommended against provincial and territorial drug plans covering Ozempic for weight loss because the drug’s submission for approval didn’t evaluate its health risks in relation to such use.
“We pay for many things — often of little benefit for boutique conditions. If the state is promising to pay for something that makes a major difference, why not start here? Given how many people could benefit from this treatment, I can’t imagine how much it would cost,” said Whatley.
Patient costs are guaranteed to increase once health problems become more serious, which Zentner says only adds to the case for covering these drugs.
“This is nothing compared to the costs of personalized therapy, which is just around the corner,” said Whatley.
“This is a moment of truth for governments. They’ve promised to take care of everyone. They put medical insurance companies out of business (nationalized/socialized them). If they’ve made a grand promise, this is a real test of whether they can deliver.”