September 12, 2008
Eight New Drugs, 32 Generics Now Covered By Pharmacare
– – –Cost Savings from Province's New Generic Drug Policy, Drug Use Management Agreements Allow for Expanded Drug Coverage: Oswald
Forty drugs that provide treatment for patients living with serious medical conditions including HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes and asthma have been added to Manitoba’s Pharmacare Program, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
“Making these drugs available under pharmacare will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many Manitobans,” Oswald said. “We’ve recognized significant savings by developing drug use management agreements and implementing a new generic drug policy. These sound practices deliver better value to Manitoba taxpayers and allow the province to expand the drugs available under pharmacare.”
New drugs added to the Manitoba Pharmacare Program include:
· Rilutek, the only treatment option available in Canada for the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS);
· Lantus, a long-acting insulin, usually given once or twice a day to help control the blood sugar level of those with diabetes;
· Enbrel, used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis;
· Seroquel XR, an antipsychotic medication for patients with schizophrenia;
· Prezista, used as part of a HIV treatment for adult patients who have demonstrated treatment failure with other drugs;
· Emend, used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting for patients receiving certain kinds of chemotherapy;
· Alvesco, a treatment for bronchial asthma; and
· Humira, used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severely active Crohn’s disease who are not responding well to other therapies.
In addition, 32 generic drugs will also be added to the list of drugs approved for coverage in Manitoba.
The minister noted that Manitoba is one of the first provinces to make Lantus eligible for coverage under a provincial drug program.
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.
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