Our Membership
BPC membership is open to any organization that:
- Has a provincial scope within British Columbia or is a regional/local alliance with a mission aligned with the work of the Coalition;
- Advocates on behalf of consumers and patients in British Columbia;
- Endorses the Better Pharmacare Coalition mission and goals;
- Is a registered charity or not-for-profit organization.
2011 Membership
The Better Pharmacare Coalition is an alliance of the following organizations:
Arthritis Consumers Experts (ACE) — Founded in 2000, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) is a national organization that provides research-based information and education to people with arthritis, and monitors the performance of provincial health care delivery to those living with the disease. The organization helps to empower people living with all forms of arthritis to take control of their disease and to take action in health care and research decision making. ACE is led by people with arthritis and its activities are guided by a strict set of guiding principles, and by an advisory board comprised of leading scientists, medical professionals and informed arthritis activists.
More information about ACE can be found at: www.jointhealth.org
The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division — Founded in 1948, The Arthritis Society BC and Yukon Division funds and promotes research, education, care and advocacy for the 600,000 British Columbians living with arthritis. Our vision is a world without arthritis.
More information about The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division can be found at: www.arthritis.ca
BC Coalition of Osteoporosis Physicians (BCCOP) — The British Columbia Coalition of Osteoporosis Physicians (BCCOP) is a group of physicians dedicated to the goal of giving patients with osteoporosis access to scientifically-proven treatments to help them manage osteoporosis and related bone diseases, and to have these treatments covered under our provincial PharmaCare program. BCCOP believes evidence-based reimbursement of osteoporosis medications—before patients break bones—will prevent costly hospital admissions and short- and long-term care stays, and most importantly, preserve and improve the quality of life of British Columbians living with osteoporosis.
More information about the BCCOP can be found at: www.BetterBoneHealth.ca
British Columbia Lung Association — plays a major role in the fight against lung diseases, but particularly lung cancer, asthma, COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, and occupational health disease. The Lung Association conducts a variety of patient, public and professional health education activities around the province and is an important funder of medical research aimed at improving lung health. It is a recognized leader in efforts to reduce tobacco use through education and cessation programs, and conducts vigorous advocacy and awareness initiatives on such issues as air quality, tobacco, patient care and access to medicines.
More information about the British Columbia Lung Association can be found at: www.bc.lung.ca
BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) — 230,000 Canadians, and 40,000 British Columbians, live with schizophrenia. The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1982. BCSS has 27 branches, 14 regional coordinators, 6 program coordinators, 3 provincial staff and over 5,000 members and supporters dedicated to supporting each other, educating the public, raising funds for programs and research, and advocating for people with schizophrenia and other serious brain illnesses and their families.
More information about the BCSS can be found at: www.bcss.org
Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN) — COPN, the patient arm of Osteoporosis Canada, is a Canada-wide network of people affected by osteoporosis. It was founded in 2004 by four patients to help ensure that people living with osteoporosis have a strong voice all aspects of osteoporosis care including medical matters, research initiatives, communication, public relations and education. At the core of COPN's raison d'etre is the Osteoporosis Patient Bill of Rights. Released in October of 2010, the Bill of Rights includes two basic rights for all Canadians, wherever they live:
- the right to effective bone care and fracture prevention programs; and
- The right to post-fracture care programs.
For more information on COPN visit www.osteoporosis.ca.
Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDA BC) — Is a non-profit organization founded in 1982. There are about 65 self-help groups facilitated throughout BC that provide support, education and recovery information for people living with mental illness and the community. MDA BC also develops resources for research and delivers services necessary for recovery of people with a mood disorder so they can live a healthy and satisfying life.
More information about MDA BC can be found at: www.mdabc.net
MS Society of Canada, BC & Yukon Division — Since 1975, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in British Columbia has been supporting MS research and providing services and programs to enhance the quality of the lives of more than 8,000 British Columbians affected by MS and their families.
More information about the MS Society of Canada, BC & Yukon Division can be found at: www.mssociety.ca/bc
The Pacific Hepatitis C Network — The Pacific Hepatitis C Network (formerly Hepatitis Council of BC) has evolved over 10 years to become the one effective organization in BC supporting grassroots organizations while working with provincial and national partners to realize its vision. With more than 60,000 people in British Columbia living with chronic hepatitis C infection (double the national rate and 30% of Canada's infections), the Network is growing rapidly. By building on its legacy of early successes, it will provide strong leadership in addressing the challenges of hepatitis C in BC.
More information about the Pacific Hepatitis C Network can be found at: www.bchepcouncil.ca
Parkinson Society British Columbia — is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease and their families through education, community outreach, advocacy and public awareness and to raise funds for research. There are 11,000 British Columbians, and more than 100,000 Canadians, living with Parkinson's.
More information about the Parkinson Society British Columbia can be found at: www.parkinson.bc.ca
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