A drug used to treat cystic fibrosis is one of 127 new medications now covered under Manitoba’s Pharmacare Program.
Coverage for Kalydeco and the other new medications went into effect last week.
Other drugs added include those to treat illnesses and chronic conditions such as schizophrenia, lung cancer and diabetes including:
Latuda for the treatment of schizophrenia;
Methadose for opiate addictions treatment;
Divigel for estrogen replacement therapy;
Genotropin for treating growth hormone
deficiency;
Giotrif for the treatment of lung cancer;
Jentadueto for the treatment of diabetes;
Kalydeco for the treatment of cystic fibrosis;
Mekinist and Taflinlar for treatment of advanced melanoma;
Turdoza Genuair for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD);
Simponi IV for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; and Xarelto for the treatment of pulmonary embolism.
In addition, a number of devices used for the treatment of diabetes will be covered including certain types of needles, syringes, lancets and test strips.
Ninety of the new medications are generic drugs used to treat a number of conditions including Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, depression, migraines and acid reflux.
These new additions are expected to save Manitoba patients $4.4 million over the next year.
Pharmacare is a universal, comprehensive prescription drug program for any Manitoban with benefits based on family income.
The program covers 100 per cent of eligible drug costs once the income-based deductible is reached, regardless of medical condition or age.
