ABSTRACT
In the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) the provincial government implemented a policy that was designed to restrain drug costs. The BC Pharmacare program is the publicly funded drug insurance program operated by the BC Ministry of Health. The goal of both Reference Drug Program (RDP) and Low Cost Alternative Program (LCA) was to provide similar coverage for similar drugs without increasing other health service costs or adverse health events. The BC Office of Health Technology Assessment found no evidence of significant differences between regular release isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) and oral nitroglycerine (SR-NG). The histamine-2 receptor antagonists are used in the treatment of non-ulcer dyspepsia or upper gastrointestinal tract complaints. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatism. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used in the treatment of hypertension.
