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Deductibles in the B.C. Fair Pharmacare program are based on net-household income levels. Law said actions the B.C. government announced last week to reduce or eliminate Pharmacare drug deductibles for those with household net incomes below $45,000 will be a help to those who have the most challenges with drug-affordability. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) study, those who struggle the most with costs are young adults, Aboriginals and South Asians, those who say their health is fair or poor, those with no drug-coverage plans and those whose household income is lowest.

“Yes, the changes to deductibles (which take effect next year) will make a difference in the ability of lower-income households in B.C. to afford their prescription drugs,” Law said. “The changes will make a substantial impact for households in the targeted income bands that need prescription drugs.”

In 2016, 23 per cent of B.C. respondents with incomes under $40,000 said they couldn’t afford one or more prescriptions, Law noted. But under the B.C. government plan to eliminate deductibles for low-income earners, he expects up to 10 per cent more will be able to obtain their prescriptions. Health Minister Adrian Dix said individuals with an income of $15,000 have been paying $300 a year while those earning up to $30,000 have spent $600 on deductibles. As of Jan. 1, 2019, they will no longer pay any deductibles. And copayments for drugs will be eliminated in families with a member older than 79 or with net incomes below $13,750.