The series consists of memos, correspondence, meeting minutes, and agendas created and received by the Ministry of Health’s Pharmacare department between 1988 and 1994. The records deal with various pieces of relevant legislation and the functions of a number of committees, including the Drug Use Review committee, the Executive committee, the Health Human Resources committee, the Information Systems Security committee and the New Drug committee. The records show the breadth of issues addressed within the Pharmacare department.

The series is divided into two subseries. The first subseries consists of executive records from committees, commissions and task forces, as well as records looking into legislation and briefing notes.

The second subseries consists of correspondence from private citizens inquiring about a number of different issues, including prosthetics and orthotics, methadone treatment, long term care, and fraudulent Pharmacare claims.

The series is covered by ARCS 135-40, 195-40, 200-20, 201-20 202-20, 206-20, 265-01. 265-03, 265-20, 280-01, 280-20, and 280-40. The series is arranged first by file code number and then alphabetically by file title.

The series consists of ombudsman’s investigations into matters relating to Pharmacare. The records were created and received by the Ministry of Health’s Pharmacare department between 1991 to 1993, and 2002 to 2010. The records provide details of complaints regarding the Ministry of Health that were sent to the ombudsman and were subsequently investigated. The files also include printouts and summaries of the number of complaints received by the ombudsman each year on matters related to Pharmacare.

The series is covered by ARCS 155-20.

The series consists of correspondence and claims history sheets created by Pharmacare between 1981 and 1984. The records document claims for reimbursement for prescription drugs and medical supplies. They include flow charts outlining the process from physician authorized prescription to Pharmacare payment to claimant. The series documents the reimbursement function of Pharmacare and provides evidence of the claims process.

The series is arranged by classification numbers that were assigned in the originating office. The records include charts, instructions, and samples of plan cards, prescriptions, pharmacy claims, covering invoices submitted with bundles of claims, computer rejected claims, error messages, lists of pharmacies to be paid, authority sheets, copies of journal vouchers, examples of claim forms, and examples of the old and the new Willea system. The records are covered by classification 70350 in the Pharmacare Services ORCS (schedule 123389).

This series consists of executive correspondence, reference material and briefing notes of the Pharmacare Division, 1998-2008. Records regard all aspects of the operation and maintenance of the Pharmacare program.

Briefing books include information about the history and operations of the Pharmacare division, put together for MLAs and other Executives, such as budgets, advice to Minister, and information on coverage, cost and use for specific drugs in the Ministry of Health estimates debate.

Briefing notes are usually arranged by year and include an index at the front listing all topics addressed. Briefing notes may be filed with associated approval forms, drafts, final copies, correspondence, and reference material. Briefing notes relate to hardship appeals, changes to coverage, drug availability, drug costs, reviews of new drugs and program priorities.

Other reference material includes fact sheets on various aspects of the Pharmacare program and drug review fact sheets, for use of MLAs and other executives, and Bibliographies of alphabetical copies of reports or studies related to pharmaceuticals.

The series also includes correspondence referral replies from the Executive Director, Pharmacare and Assistant Deputy Minister, Pharmaceutical Services. Most letters may be from other government bodies, private companies, charities, advocacy groups, Doctors, MLAs or private citizens. Most letters relate to cost and availability of specific treatments.

Records scheduled under ARCS numbers 280-20 and 280-30.

The series consists of correspondence, reports, memoranda, and some reference materials. Records in the series were created by the Pharmacare division of the Ministry of Health between 1980 and 1992. The series provides evidence of the growth and development of Pharmacare programs, as well as the decisions that contributed to the determination of drug eligibility for Pharmacare programs. The series documents the extent of coverage provided by Pharmacare plans, the development of cost-saving incentive programs, and the decision-making process that determines which drugs are eligible for Pharmacare coverage.

In particular, the series documents the Drug Use Review (DUR) program, as well as negotiation records and history of Pharmacare’s plan B for residents of licensed residential care facilities. The series also includes records related to home oxygen programs, the Seniors Drug Action program, and the triplicate prescription program.

The records in this series are covered by classifications 70320 and 70300 of the Pharmacare Services ORCS (schedule 123389).

The series consists of Pharmacare research and evaluation files created by the Pharmacare Division of the Ministry of Health from 1969-2012. This includes correspondence, reports, medical journal articles, statistical printouts, formularies, working papers, memoranda, surveys, project charters and briefing notes. The series documents the development, management review and analysis of policies and programs to evaluate Pharmacare program objectives and efficiency. The series contains records documenting similar programs in other provinces and jurisdictions, and it appears as if these were used as comparative material for planning programs and developing policies. The series consists of correspondence with, and reports from, researchers at the University of British Columbia, who worked with statistics and records provided by Pharmacare. Among the surveys and correspondence contained within the series, there are patient satisfaction surveys and further background material on the Home Oxygen program. The series also consists of pharmacy review questionnaires and other such surveys.

The series consists of statistical reports that were generated from the records of specific dispensing institutions and pharmacies. Many of the statistical reports contain several Pharmacare codes for which there is no apparent key. The series also contains drug cost calculations.

The series consists of copies of reports and articles from pharmaceutical and medical publications. These appear to have been used in order to determine whether or not a particular pharmaceutical would be suitable for coverage by Pharmacare, and whether there were more effective drugs available on the market. Frequently, researchers compiled studies and further reports to support the argument for a drug’s inclusion within the Pharmacare program. This may include evaluations on budgetary impacts for adding new drugs to the Pharmacare program or expanding uses for existing drugs, referred to as budget impact analysis.

The series includes a set of records on the DMAN project. However, supporting accession records include a note that, as of May 2001, the Ministry of Health were not aware of the meaning of the acronym.

The records in this series are covered by classifications 70450 and 70300 of the Pharmacare Services ORCS (schedule 123389).

The series consists of correspondence, reports, newsletters, meeting minutes, checklists, and memoranda documenting Pharmacare’s policy development and strategic planning. The records were created by the Pharmacare division between 1974 and 2005, although the records date predominantly to the 1980s and 1990s. The records provide evidence of program and policy development and the creation of new Pharmacare programs. The series documents relationships between Pharmacare and various external bodies and agencies, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Canadian Wholesale Drug Association, and the Workers’ Compensation Board. The series also contains consultation files, which document the provision of expert advice on pharmacology or other aspects of the Pharmacare program. This advice was often tied to the decision-making process and development of Pharmacare programs.

The records are governed by classifications 70400-20 and 70480-20 of the Pharmacare Services ORCS (schedule 123389). For records pertaining to the exeution of policies and programs, please see GR-3594.

The series consists of monitoring and audit files for pharmacies across British Columbia. The records were created between 1990 and 1992 by the Pharmacare division of the Ministry of Health. The selection of a pharmacy provider for audit can be made either by random or direct selection. The series consists of correspondence, audit and statistical reports, and inspection records. Audits are performed by the Pharmacare audit section and are carried out to ensure compliance with the terms of participation agreements.

The series is arranged by pharmacy audit project based on the internal Pharmacare number assigned to the pharmacy. Records in this series are covered by classification 70420-20 of the Pharmacare Services ORCS (schedule 123389).