Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

April 21, 2008

Drug-cost Savings Make New Cancer Drugs Available Under Pharmacare: Oswald



Cost savings achieved under Manitoba’s new generic drug policy will allow the province to add two life-extending cancer drugs to the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
 
“The development of a new generic drug policy is translating into real cost savings,” Oswald said.  “Reducing drug costs allows us to make more important, often life-extending prescription drugs available to more Manitobans.”
 
Two life-extending drugs, Sutent and Nexavar, used in the treatment of kidney cancer, have been added to the list of medications covered under pharmacare.
 
The minister said adding the drugs as pharmacare benefits will help families in an emotionally and financially challenging time.
 
“Cost savings achieved through the addition of 120 generic drugs to the Manitoba Pharmacare Program earlier this year will allow Manitoba Health to cover the cost of Sutent and Nexavar for those who need it,” Oswald said.
 
An estimated $1 million will be spent on the two life-extending drugs in the first year of coverage.
 
More than 2,000 drugs have been added to the drug list for pharmacare coverage since 1999.  The Manitoba Pharmacare Program covers 100 per cent of drug costs once the income-based deductible is reached, regardless of age or medical condition.
 
Last year the province launched a new deductible instalment payment program for pharmacare, which provides relief to Manitobans with high drug costs by allowing them to pay their deductible in monthly instalments.
 
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