NLIS 12
March 21, 2005
(Health and Community Services)
Budget 2005 boosts provincial drug plan - 25 new drugs added
The Williams government will inject $7 million in the provincial drug program,
adding 25 new drugs to treat people with arthritis, cancer, cardiac and lung
disease and diabetes, among other illnesses, Health and Community Services
Minister John Ottenheimer announced today. This brings government�s total
investment in the prescription drug program to $114 million � a 10.3 per cent
increase over last year�s expenditures.
"This investment will give program recipients greater access to the drugs they
need to treat illness and lead healthier lives," said Minister Ottenheimer. "Our
ability to manage rising drug costs has enabled us to protect resources and
allocate them to more innovative therapies for patients."
More than $2 million will support the associated costs of the new drugs, while
the remaining $5 million in funding earmarked in Budget 2005 will help the
program meet growing demands and increased utilization.
Among the new additions are Remicade and Enbrel, drugs belonging to a new class
of medications called biological response modifiers, used to aid and control
rheumatoid arthritis as well as Crohn�s disease.
"The scientific evidence shows these drugs can dramatically help people with
severe rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn�s disease for whom other therapies are not
effective," added Minister Ottenheimer. "For arthritis sufferers, these drugs
may delay progression to significant disability and can lead to a vastly
improved quality of life."
Highlights of other drug treatments now covered include:
- Plavix, drug used to treat patients with history of certain cardiac problems,
to help prevent further cardiovascular damage;
- Xeloda, to treat patients with colorectal cancer or breast cancer after
standard treatment has failed;
- Spiriva, to treat certain lung diseases that reduce air flow, such as
emphysema;
- Eligard, for treatment of prostate cancer;
- Valcyte, used to treat a virus contracted by patients with HIV, due to their
low immunity levels, that affects their vision;
- Tracleer, treatment for a life-threatening lung disorder;
- Rilutek, for treatment of Lou Gerig�s Disease;
- Avodart, for treatment of enlarged prostate;
- Aerochamber Max, a device to assist patients in getting greater benefit from
their metered dose inhalers; and
- Pegetrol Redipen, Pegasys RBV to treat patients with chronic hepatitis.
Improved access to needed drug therapies without undue financial hardship was a
goal established by all first ministers in the 2004 First Minister�s Meeting (FMM)
Health Accord signed last September. In keeping with this vision, these
investments are supported through the monies of the 2004 FMM Health Accord.
All new prescription drugs submitted for listing by the drug program are
reviewed by health professionals and Atlantic or national committees for
therapeutic benefit, comparative benefit versus other available treatment
options and cost effectiveness. In addition to this expert review and medical
advice, government also considers affordability and the sustainability of the
drug program in making its coverage decisions.
More than 100,000 residents annually benefit from the Newfoundland and Labrador
Prescription Drug Program, which is the one of the fastest growing portions of
the health care budget. Coverage is provided to seniors in receipt of the
Guaranteed Income Support and recipients of income support.
Government continues to work with other provinces, through the National
Pharmaceuticals Strategy, on potential designs, best practices and opportunities
for expanded drug program coverage.
Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093
2005 03 21 2:50 p.m. |