Pharmacy Program for BC First Nations
In 2013, Health Canada transferred responsibility for health programs and services for BC First Nations to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). One of the programs so transferred was the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, which provides eligible First Nations individuals (both on- and off-reserve) with supplemental health benefits, including pharmacy, medical supplies and equipment, dental care, vision care, short-term crisis intervention mental health counseling, and medical transportation to access medically required health services not available on reserve or in the community of residence. This evaluation centred around the FNHA’s Pharmacy Program for BC First Nations with a primary focus on the transfer of the drug benefits to PharmaCare Plan W in 2017. It covered a range of topics related to effectiveness, efficiency, governance structure, risk management and controls, and implementation of Plan W. To perform the evaluation, we conducted an extensive review of documents, files, and administrative data related to the Pharmacy Program and the transition process; interviews with 76 key informants; 4 focus group sessions, involving 55 representatives of the FNHA, First Nations Health Council, and First Nations Health Directors Association; a survey of FNHA clients and service providers; and 2 case studies.