BC Metabolic Nutrition Program for People with Inherited Metabolic Diseases
After an extensive review, the Ministry of Health has approved funding to help patients with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and other Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) with the cost of low-protein foods.

On January 1, 2014, B.C. will join at least eight other provinces in providing some form of food subsidy to PKU and IEM patients.

British Columbian patients with PKU and IEM will receive up to a $250 monthly subsidy to help with the high cost of low-protein foods.

The program will be managed by the Provincial Health Services Authority as an add-on to their already-existing supplement program, which supplies a free metabolic formula to PKU patients. A program based clinical nutritionist will work with the patient(s) to determine the required patient dietary needs (e.g., caloric intake and low protein foods required).
What does the program cover?
The BC Metabolic Nutrition Program (BCMNP) covers the cost of certain outpatient drugs, nutritional supplements and specialty foods used to treat PKU and other IEM.
The program covers approved:
IEM formulas (medical foods) and nutritional supplements (e.g. L-amino acids).
As of January 1, 2014: Special low protein foods up to $250/month distributed by the Special Products Distribution Centre (SPDC) located at BC Children’s Hospital.
Am I eligible?

Talk to your doctor, an eligible person must be:

Resident of BC with a valid BC Services Card or Care Card;
Diagnosed with PKU or IEM and be under the medical care of a doctor from BC Children’s Hospital Biochemical Diseases Clinic or Vancouver General Hospital Adult Metabolic Clinic; and,
Be prescribed the IEM formulas, supplements, and low protein foods as a medical treatment.

 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: If I ordered less than $250 of approved low protein foods one month, can I order more the next month?
A: Yes, there will be some flexibility as to how the funds can be spent. Eligible people are allowed a maximum benefit of $3000 per year for approved low protein foods, but due to expiry and ‘best before’ dates, it will be advisable for an eligible person to order only the amounts that they can consume before these dates.

Q: What low protein foods will be covered under this program?
A: Initially the approved low protein food list will include shelf stable low protein foods that are currently available at the SPDC. By January 1, 2014, a list of approved low protein foods will be posted to the SPDC website: http://www.bcchildrens.ca/spdc.

Q: Will I be able to order perishable foods such as approved frozen low protein pizza or bread?
A: The funded approved product lists will be reviewed periodically by an expert advisory committee. Once logistical and storage issues have been managed, additional foods will be added to the approved list.

Q: Will eligible people have input as to which low protein foods are included in the approved list?
A: Yes, a process will be developed for eligible people to put forward suggestions for new low protein foods to be added to the approved list. These requests would be reviewed periodically by an expert advisory committee.

Q: Where can I learn more about the program?
A: You can ask your Dietitian or Physician from BC Children’s Hospital Biochemical Diseases Clinic (www.bcchildrens.ca/Services/SpecializedPediatrics/BiochemicalDiseases/default.htm) or Vancouver General Hospital Adult Metabolic Clinic (www.vch.ca/403/7676/?program_id=451) for more information. Once the program is operational in January 2014, a list of approved low protein foods will be posted to the SPDC website: http://www.bcchildrens.ca/spdc.