Advisory to recipients of Senior Citizens� Drug Subsidy Program

The Department of Health and Community Services wishes to advise recipients of the Senior Citizens� Drug Subsidy Program that some recipients may receive their drug cards later than usual this year.

"The department has learned that there was an equipment malfunction which caused more than one card to be inserted in some envelopes. We have corrected the problem, and are now in the process of notifying seniors of the situation. I want to assure all eligible seniors who depend on this program, that they can continue to receive their medications as usual," said Health and Community Services Minister Gerald Smith.

Any individual who has a card expiring September 30, 2003 and has not received a new card for 2003/2004 is advised to contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program at (709) 724-7762 or 1-888-724-7760. Once notification is received, and if a senior is entitled to benefits for the coming year, a replacement card will be immediately issued.

The seniors� drug cards are issued annually to those entitled to benefits, and expire on September 30. Due to the equipment malfunction, not all eligible recipients may receive their card prior to the September 30, 2003 expiration date. However, pharmacies across the province have been alerted to the situation and advised they may contact the department to obtain verification of coverage for their patients. In addition, program recipients will receive a letter explaining the situation, and advising them to contact the program to receive a replacement card. Pharmacies have been advised that they may accept this letter as proof of coverage until the client receives a new card.

For those individuals who received drug cards not issued to them, they are advised to either destroy the card, or return it to the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program or to their local pharmacy for destruction. Drug cards can only cover prescriptions issued in the name of the recipient and as such are only useful to the recipient named on the card.

"It is unfortunate that this situation has occurred, and we have taken immediate steps to correct the situation. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our seniors. I have been assured, and we have the full cooperation of the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, that eligible seniors will not experience any interruptions in their drug coverage," said Minister Smith.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377

2003 09 11                                         3:45 p.m.