ALZHEIMER DRUG'S COST COVERED

Released on April 23, 2001

Exelon, a drug used for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate

forms of Alzheimer disease, is now covered under the Saskatchewan Drug Plan

effective April 1, 2001.



The provincial government has accepted the Saskatchewan Formulary

Committee's recent recommendation to cover Exelon under Exception Drug

Status. Patients requiring Exelon will have to meet the same criteria as

with Aricept, another medication for Alzheimer disease covered by the

Saskatchewan Drug Plan.



The formulary committee reviewed clinical studies and concluded Exelon may

provide some benefit to new patients or those who can not tolerate Aricept.



"In the area of medications, we look at the drug's benefit, relative to its

cost," Health Minister John Nilson said. "The decision to cover this drug

is based on the recommendation of the Saskatchewan Formulary Committee and

reaffirms the value of the review process."



Eligible patients will share in the cost of Exelon, as with other drugs

covered under the drug plan.



Twenty-six drugs were added to the formulary this quarter, some under

Exception Drug Status, which means coverage will be approved providing

specific medical criteria are met. Other drugs include Monocor, a

medication for congestive heart failure, Avelox, a new antibiotic, and

Actos, a new oral alternative treatment for diabetes. A number of lower

cost generic drugs are also being added as alternatives to currently listed

products.



Four products were reviewed and not recommended for coverage. Nine new

products are still under consideration by the formulary committee.



The Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan now covers more than 3,500 products

and assists more than 111,000 families with the cost of drugs. Benefits of

the drug plan are targeted to assist families with low incomes or high drug

costs or a combination of the two.



This year's drug plan budget was increased by 16 per cent to $115 million

to keep pace with the growing number of prescriptions and the rising cost

of drugs.



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For more information, contact:



Rikki Boté

Communications Branch

Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4083