NEW DRUGS COVERED

Released on December 28, 2000

Thirty new drugs have been approved for coverage under the Saskatchewan Drug

Plan, including new medications used in the treatment of stroke and narcolepsy.



Five of the products approved for coverage effective December 1st are new

treatments, while the others are new dosages of existing products or generic

drugs that can be prescribed as alternatives to name-brand products.



The list of new medications includes: Alertec, a drug for people with

narcolepsy who have not responded to other drugs; Aggrenox, a new treatment for

people who have had a stroke and can not tolerate or do not respond to ASA; and

Monurol, an antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections.

Narcolepsy is a chronic reoccurence of drowsiness and sleep.



Several of the new products were approved under the Exception Drug Status (EDS)

for use when specific criteria are met. This ensures those patients most

likely to benefit from these drugs have access to them. Physicians or

pharmacists may apply for coverage of EDS drugs on behalf of their patients.



"Our independent drug review process ensures that new drugs are added to the

formulary if it can be determined that they will provide benefits to patients

and value to Saskatchewan health care," Associate Minister of Health Judy Junor

said. "We are pleased to provide new treatments to help improve the health of

Saskatchewan residents."



Eight 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. Currently, nine products

are still under review.



The Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan currently covers more than 3,500

products and assists approximately 110,000 families each year. In 2000-2001,

the Drug Plan budget was increased by 27 per cent to $99 million to cover the

rising costs of drugs and the growing number of prescriptions.



The Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan is structured to assist families with

low incomes, families with high drug costs, and those with a combination of the

two. The benefits of the Drug Plan are targeted toward those with the greatest

need and the least ability to pay for their medications.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088