Released on August 15, 2000
Saskatchewan's Drug Plan recently expanded its coverage to include nine newdrugs.
Five of these are generic drugs, which can be prescribed in place of more
expensive, name-brand drugs. These include a lipid-lowering agent used to
reduce high cholesterol levels. This is the first time a generic alternative
for this product has been available and it will mean significant savings to
both consumers and the Drug Plan.
The remaining drugs, which were approved only under Exception Drug Status
(EDS), include Avandia, for treating diabetes, and Arava, used in treating
rheumatoid arthritis. Physicians and pharmacists can apply for coverage of
these and other EDS drugs on behalf of their patients. The EDS program is
designed to target drugs to those patients most likely to benefit, based on
medical criteria.
"Our independent drug review process examines all new drugs to determine those
that have proven benefits for people and the greatest value to health care,"
Associate Health Minister Judy Junor said. "We are pleased to be able to help
provide these new treatments which can help improve the health and well being
of our citizens."
The Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan now covers more than 3,000 products and
assists more than 100,000 families with the cost of drugs. To keep pace with
the growing number of prescriptions and the rising cost of drugs, the Drug Plan
budget was increased by 27 per cent in the 2000-2001 budget, to $99 million.
Another five new drugs were reviewed and not approved for coverage. Drugs are
not approved when the clinical results are uncertain or the benefits of the
drugs are not considered sufficient to warrant coverage.
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
(306) 787-4088