The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitobans will have more access to the medication they need as the NDP government adds 153 new drugs to the provincial pharmacare formulary effective today. Among the drugs now covered by pharmacare are Brilinta for reducing the risk of heart attack; Mezavant for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; Protopic for the treatment of eczema; Uloric for the treatment of gout; Vimpat for the treatment of partial-onset epileptic seizures; and Complera for HIV therapy. 'By adding these drugs to the formulary, we are offering more choice and significant savings to families dealing with a broad range of serious medical conditions,' said Health Minister Theresa Oswald. Oswald said the additions include many generic versions of prescription drugs, which will save Manitobans money and slash provincial drug costs by $2.9 million. According to the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association, generic drugs accounted for nearly two-thirds of Manitoba prescriptions in 2011 _ the highest use of generics in Canada. 'Our pharmacare program is nationally recognized and we continue to build on past successes in adding generic medications at competitive prices,' Oswald said. Pharmacare is a universal, comprehensive prescription drug program for Manitobans with benefits based on family income. It covers 100 per cent of eligible drug costs, once the income-based deductible is reached, regardless of medical condition or age. For more information on the program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release
