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December 23, 1998
(Health and Community Services)


Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, said today that physicians in the province are formally allowed to make clinical choices of drug therapy, without restrictions, for people with schizophrenia covered under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP). The minister said UNRESTRICTED COVERAGE of the newer atypical anti-psychotic medications was INFORMALLY APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN OCTOBER. This formal announcement was held pending approval by the Human Investigations Committee (HIC) of a research study intended to evaluate the impact of unrestricted access to these newer agents. This research study, entitled "The Impact of Open Access to Atypical Anti-psychotic Medications in Newfoundland and Labrador", will be funded through an unconditional grant from four innovative pharmaceutical manufacturers.

"The department has been working with consumers, advocates, physicians, pharmacists, the Newfoundland and Labrador Schizophrenia Society and industry in a process to improve the access of these drugs to people who qualify under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program," said the minister. "As I said in the House of Assembly on December 10, the study had to be ratified by the HIC before we could make a formal announcement. I am happy that we can now provide unrestricted access to these new drug therapies to people with schizophrenia with the hope of improving their health."

Philomena Kavanagh, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Schizophrenia Society, said: "It is so important that people have open access to these drugs. It's a big step when we see government look at schizophrenia seriously. Maybe now, we can raise public awareness of schizophrenia throughout our communities as well."

Dr. James Karaganis, of the Newfoundland Psychiatric Association, said: "This research study will provide a new way of examining the potential benefits of new drug therapy to the people in this province and probably the country. This change in policy is welcomed. It will certainly be beneficial to people with schizophrenia today and in the future. On behalf of the Newfoundland Psychiatric Association we offer our support of the research study."

The minister said this announcement will allow physicians to make decisions about the drugs they will prescribe. The research study will also have the ability through an evaluation to actually demonstrate whether increased availability of newer agents will have a positive impact on the health of people with schizophrenia and as such reduce costs in hospitalization. "This is an important day for people with schizophrenia throughout the province. I commend all those who contributed to the process which allowed this announcement today," said the minister.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Director of Communications, (709) 729-1377

1998 12 23 4:05 p.m.


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