Islanders with high prescription drug costs can now apply to have their medications covered under the new Catastrophic Drug Program, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“Islanders should be able to focus on their health without worrying about how they’re going to pay for their prescriptions,” said the minister. “The Catastrophic Drug Program will provide affordable drug coverage to Islanders, whether they have one high-cost prescription or multiple lower-cost prescriptions. This program will go a long way in reducing the financial hardship some Islanders face, so they don’t need to choose between their medications and other necessities such as groceries.”
The Catastrophic Drug Program will provide assistance to Islanders who do not have drug coverage or are experiencing high drug costs not covered by their private or other public insurance. Once a household has spent a certain amount of its income on medications, all other eligible medications will be covered by the Catastrophic Drug Program, and the family won’t have to pay for them.
Islanders can enrol in the program by filling out an application form (healthpei.ca/catastrophic). There are no premiums or fees to apply to the program. In order to be eligible:
• You must be a permanent Prince Edward Island resident. A permanent PEI resident is a person who is present in the province for six months or more per year;
• You, and eligible household members, must file a Prince Edward Island tax return for the previous year for which you are applying to the program to claim benefits; and
• You must have a valid Prince Edward Island Health Card.
A household’s contribution to their eligible drug costs will be capped at the following levels:
- 3 per cent of an annual household income of $0 - $20,000
- 5 per cent of an annual household income >$20,000 - $50,000
- 8 per cent of an annual household income >$50,000 - $100,000
- 12 per cent of an annual household income of > $100,000
Income will be determined based on the previous year’s tax returns of household members.
The list of medications Islanders can apply to receive under the program includes eligible prescription medications on the list of drugs funded by the province (healthpei.ca/formulary), except for over-the-counter medications and those an individual is already receiving through another public drug program.
“This new program will provide the greatest benefit to those Islanders who need it the most, providing a safety net to those who struggle to pay the costs of their medications,” said Health PEI CEO Dr. Richard Wedge. “By easing the financial burden Islanders face because of prescription drug costs, it’s easier for them to focus on what’s really important – their health.”
So far this year, 32 new drugs have been added to the list of publicly funded drugs, including more than 20 since the Catastrophic Drug Program was announced in May. Spending on Pharmacare programs has increased by more than 40 per cent, and government has added or expanded coverage of 189 medications to the provincial formulary since 2006-2007.
The Department of Health and Wellness is continuing to review prescription medications recommended by the National Common Review and the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review for possible addition to the province’s list of publicly funded drugs. The Department of Health and Wellness will also work closely with the newly formed Provincial Drugs and Therapeutics Committee to develop an effective evaluation process to add drugs that will have the greatest impact on improving the health of Islanders.
“By making fairer drugs prices a priority, through initiatives such as lowering the cost of generic drugs, our government is reinvesting in programs like this one to ensure that Islanders who need help the most are receiving it,” said the minister.