NLIS 1
June 6, 2000
(Health and Community Services)

New funding announced for Newfoundland and Labrador Drug Information Centre

Funding in the amount of $250,000 for the Newfoundland and Labrador Drug Information Centre, located at Memorial University of Newfoundland's School of Pharmacy, was announced today by the Minister of Health and Community Services, Roger Grimes.

The Department of Health and Community Services has committed $50,000 in funding to the Drug Information Centre over the next three years. The other $200,000 in funding over three years is being provided in near equal shares by the following companies and organizations: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen-Ortho, Hoffman LaRoche, Novopharm, Wal-Mart Pharmacy, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards Association, and the Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association.

In making the announcement, Mr. Grimes said: "I am pleased to be here today to announce government's continued commitment to the Newfoundland and Labrador Drug Information Centre. Our funding of $50,000 over the next three years will bring the total funding for the centre to $250,000 with the assistance of industry. I would like to thank those providing funding as it demonstrates how effective we can all be when government, industry and pharmacists work together in providing important drug information to health professionals throughout the province."

The president of Memorial University, Dr. Axel Meisen, said the Newfoundland and Labrador Drug Information Centre provides an important outreach service to health professionals, including pharmacists, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and others. "Today provides us with an opportunity to renew relationships among the School of Pharmacy, the university, the ministry of Health and Community Services, the Canadian pharmaceutical industry, the Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association and pharmacies in Newfoundland and Labrador."

The director of the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Chris Loomis, said that this funding announcement is important for a number of reasons. First it allows the Drug Information Centre to continue its essential role in promoting the safe and effective use of medications. Given the ever-increasing use, complexity and cost of drugs, access to services provided by the Drug Information Centre is an important asset to Newfoundland and Labrador. Second, the funding base has broadened to include the provincial government and associations representing the health professionals who use the Drug Information Centre, as well as an increased number of corporate sponsors.

"This announcement is an excellent example of a cooperative partnership in health involving the university, the provincial government and the pharmaceutical industry in Canada," said Dr. Loomis. "The services provided by our drug information pharmacist are an example of the valuable role that pharmacists can play in the delivery of effective and safe drug therapy to the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact:

Sharon Gray, Memorial University, (709) 737-4250

Carl Cooper, Department of Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

2000 06 06                                 11:30 a.m.