DRUG PLAN EXPANDS LIST OF COVERED DRUGS IN 1999

Released on January 17, 2000

Saskatchewan's Drug Plan has expanded its coverage over the past year to

include more than two dozen new drugs.



Twenty seven new drugs to help people with conditions ranging from arthritis to

asthma were approved for coverage under the Drug Plan in 1999. In addition, 68

new generic drugs—lower cost replicas of name brand drugs—were approved.



"Our independent drug review committees looked at all of these drugs to

determine those that have proven benefits for people and the greatest value to

health care," Associate Minister of Health Judy Junor said. "We are pleased to

be able to help provide these many new treatments which can help improve the

health and well being of our citizens."



The list of new drugs includes Celebrex, a breakthrough treatment for

arthritis, Rebetron, a new treatment for hepatitis, and Accolate and Singulair,

treatments for asthma.



The Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan now covers more than 3,000 products and

assists more than 100,000 families with the cost of drugs. Last year,

Saskatchewan people filled more than 6.6 million prescriptions. To keep pace

with the growing numbers of prescriptions and the rising cost of drugs, the

Drug Plan budget grew to $77.8 million in 1999/2000, up 21.5 per cent from the

previous year.



Another 10 new drugs were reviewed and not approved for coverage in 1999.

Drugs are not approved when the clinical results are uncertain or the benefits

of the drug are not considered sufficient to warrant coverage.



Junor noted that 16 additional drugs are currently under review and dozens more

will likely be submitted by manufacturers in the coming year. Two expert

committees review each drug to determine its medical benefits, cost and overall

value to health care before making recommendations to the minister. "I want to

commend our committee members for their hard work over the past year in helping

us find the best ways to help meet the health care needs of our citizens,"

Junor said.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Saskatchewan Health

Communications Branch

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088