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.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement