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.
By striking a partnership with other provinces, Manitoba has secured a lower price for six generic drugs. The drugs are Atorvastatin, for high cholesterol; Ramipril, for blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions; Venlafaxine, for depression and other mental-health conditions; Amlodipine, for high blood pressure and angina; and Omeprazole and Rabeprazole, for several gastrointestinal conditions. Last summer, Canadian premiers directed their health ministers to choose commonly used generic drugs and pursue better pricing for all jurisdictions.Ê This resulted in the Pan-Canadian Competitive Value Price Initiative for Generic Drugs, which has now negotiated lower prices on these six drugs to about one-fifth of the price of the equivalent brand-name products. The changes will come into effect on April 1. The lower prices apply to all Manitobans, whether they have drug coverage through pharmacare, private plans or pay themselves. It's estimated that all Manitobans will save nearly $6 million and Manitoba drug programs, including pharmacare, will save over $3.2 million every year as a result of this change.Ê Health Minister Theresa Oswald said she met with her colleagues from other provinces last week and they agreed to continue to work together to negotiate better drug prices for all jurisdictions. According to the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association, generic drugs accounted for 65.1Êper cent of prescriptions in Manitoba in 2011, the highest use of generics in Canada. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release
