8:00 - 9:00 am Registration & Networking
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9:00 - 9:20 am Land Acknowledgement & Opening Remarks
9:20 - 9:50 am Keynote Address: Updates from the Ministy of Health: The government's vision for delivering heath euity to British Colunbians by Dr. Ian Rongve, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health System Policy and Oversight Division, BC Ministry of Health
9:50 - 10:40 am Panel Discussion - Breaking Barriers: Improving Patient Access to New Medications in BC
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Sponsored by:
Moderator: Gail Attara, CEO, Canadian Society of Intestinal Research
Panelists: Terry Lake, former BC Minister of Health
Dr. Diane McIntosh, psychiatrist, author, and eductor
Cassandra Nieman, living with multiple sclerosis
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​Objectives:
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Examine the real-world impact of BC’s drug coverage limitations on patients and physicians, drawing from recent reports and lived experiences.
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Explore the perspectives of key stakeholders—including a former payer, practicing physician, and patient—on how drug coverage decisions are made and their consequences.
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Compare BC’s coverage of new medications with other Canadian jurisdictions, highlighting significant gaps and their implications.
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Analyze the economic and social effects of limited access to new therapies.
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Identify practical, short-term policy changes that can improve access to essential medications for BC residents.
10:40 - 11:10 am Networking Break and Refreshments
11:10 - 12:00 am Panel Discussion - Rare Disease Realities: Challenges and Opportunities for Patients and Families
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Sponsored by:
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Moderator: John Adams, Co-founder & past-President, Canadian PKU and Allied Disorders
Panelists: Charles Brown, Director of Government Affairs, Innovative Medicines Canada
David Fowler, living with transthyretin amloidosis (ATTR)
Dr. David Kendler, Medical Director, Prohealth Clinical Research
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Objectives:
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Highlight the lived experiences of patients with rare diseases and their caregivers, giving voice to their unique challenges and perspectives.
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Examine the barriers and pathways that patients with rare diseases and their caregivers face in accessing treatment and care.
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Explore recent advances in research and innovation impacting the rare disease community.
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Provide updates on current policies and ongoing advocacy efforts related to rare diseases.
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Facilitate a discussion on collaborative solutions to enhance support for patients with rare diseases and their caregivers.
12:00 - 12:05 Brief Remarks by Sunita Dhir, MLA Vancouver-Langara, Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials
12:05 - 1:00 pm Lunch Break and Networking
1:00 - 1:50 pm Panel Discussion - Maximizing Impact: Vaccines as a Cornerstone for Public Health and Fiscal Sustainability
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Sponsored by:
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Moderator: Antonella Scali, CEO Psoriasis Canada
Panelists: Dr. Jia Hu, Interim Medical Director, Immunization Programs & Vaccine Preventable Disease Service, BCCDC
Theresa Tang, Co-founder & CEO, Praxis Health
Alison Pozzobon, Vice President of Government Affairs, Market Access & Communications, GSK
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Objectives:
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Examine the pivotal role of vaccines in improving population health and reducing the burden of preventable diseases.
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Analyze the cost-effectiveness of immunization programs and their contribution to optimizing healthcare expenditures amid fiscal constraints.
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Identify and address barriers to vaccine access to promote equity and ensure that all communities benefit from immunization initiatives.
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1:50 - 1:55 pm Brief Remarks by Brennan Day, MLA Courtenay-Comox, Official Opposition Critic for Rural Health and Senior's Health
1:55 - 2:20 pm Networking Break and Refreshments
2:20 - 3:10 pm Panel Discussion - Strengthening Resilience: Overcoming Implementation Barriers for Innovative Therapies
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Sponsored by:
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Moderator: Graham Statt, Chief Administrative Officer, District of Summerland, BC & former ADM, Pharmaceutical and Supplementary Benefits Division, Alberta Health
Panelists: Hélène Lalonde, living with multiple myeloma
​ Jenner Lyle, CEO, Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon
​ Matthew Sebastiani, living with inflammatory bowel disease
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Examine the increasing complexity of new therapies—such as CAR-T in oncology and rare diseases —and highlight the need for early identification and assessment of implementation barriers to improve patient access.
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Outline common capacity challenges and barriers that health systems face when adopting innovative therapies.
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Discuss strategies for addressing implementation challenges, such as the work of the Resilient Healthcare Coalition and the I2U tool.
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Explore patient experiences and discuss ways to incorporate the patient voice in overcoming implementation challenges for new therapies.
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3:10 - 3:30 pm Final Reflections and Closing Remarks
HOTEL
Our host hotel, The Executive Hotel Vancouver Airport, is offering rooms at a rate of $179 per night, plus applicable taxes. To reserve your room at this rate, simply call the hotel at 1-800-663-2878 and state that you will be attending the Medicines Access BC Forum.
Parking
Please note: The hotel is offering complimentary parking to participants. You can register your license plate number online in advance.
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or go to https://www.offstreet.io/location/R6HFNNTS.
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All drive-in attendees are to register their vehicle using the online link provided.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Platinum Level: Alexion, GSK Canada, Merck Canada, Johnson & Johnson
Silver Level: Pfizer
Bronze Level: LEO Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim
To register please go to:
https://MedAccessBCForum2026.eventbrite.ca
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact admin@medaccessbc.org