Released on April 1, 1999
Health Minister Pat Atkinson said today the 1999-2000 budget total of$77.8 million for the Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan reflects the
fact that more people are covered by the plan and more drugs are being
covered.
This funding is up 21.5 per cent from the previous year's budget.
"Today, our provincial drug plan supports more than 100,000 families
up from 88,000 the year before," Atkinson said. "This ensures
families with high drug costs, low incomes, or a combination of the
two, are able to get the drug treatments they need to maintain their
health."
More than 3,000 drugs are covered under the province's drug plan, 250
higher than a year ago. In 1998-99, Saskatchewan people filled close
to 6.6 million prescriptions, up 22 per cent from the 5.4 million
filled in 1993-94. Drugs used to treat high blood pressure, lower
cholesterol and treat osteoporosis are among those experiencing
increased use in Saskatchewan. The volume of prescriptions is
expected to increase again in the coming year.
In addition the growing cost of new drugs is a major factor behind the
budget increase.
For example, the drug plan now spends $3 million a year on
Betaseron and other new drugs used to treat Multiple Sclerosis.
"Every year, dozens of new drug treatments become available in
Canada. Many have the potential to help improve or maintain the
health of our citizens," Atkinson said. "Our provincial drug
review committees will continue to assess these new drugs to
determine those that offer the greatest benefits to Saskatchewan
people and to our health system as a whole."
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306)787-4088