Twenty-five drugs are being added to the provincial formulary, including medication for arthritis and diabestes.
The province estimates that 7,000 Island patients are clinically eligible for these medications which will become part of the provincial formulary, effective May 16.
“These medications will support thousands of Islanders facing various health conditions, including arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, growth hormone deficiency, blood clotting and others,” said Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
Of the 25 medications, Prince Edward Island is adding four medications under the high-cost drugs category:
● Orencia (expanded accessibility in severe rheumatoid arthritis);
● Rituxan (severe rheumatoid arthritis);
● Simponi (severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis); and
● Volibris (pulmonary arterial hypertension)
Also part of today’s announcement is the addition of Apidra, a medication which supports patients with Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus, which will now be covered under the Diabetes Drug Program.
Omnitrope will now be available under the Growth Hormone Drug Program.
Advagraf, a drug to help prevent kidney organ rejection, will be available through the Transplant Drug Program.
The remaining 18 medications will all be available through the Family Health Benefit Drug Program, the Financial Assistance Drug Program, the Seniors Drug Program and the Nursing Home Drug Program.
Patients receiving treatment should contact their physician to inquire about coverage for any of the medications announced today. Patients must meet established clinical criteria for many of the medications.
See Page 2 for the list of drugs
