The Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Health and Wellness, is pleased to officially announce government’s committed to reducing the seniors’ co-pay by 25 per cent, effective September 1, 2010, as part of the Provincial Seniors’ Drug Cost Assistance Program.
“We are reducing the seniors’ co-pay by 25 per cent. This means, within the program, seniors will only be responsible for paying the pharmacy professional fee and $8.25 per prescription,” said Minister Bertram. “Based upon 2009/10 figures, this would be a direct savings to seniors of $914,000. Government will pay almost 75 per cent for the cost of drugs, an estimated $14.9 million.”
The Seniors' Drug Cost Assistance Program was established in 1987 to provide subsidization to seniors for drug costs, particularly those costs associated with long-term drug use for chronic conditions. This program is one of the most comprehensive seniors’ drug programs in Canada. All Island residents, covered through Medicare, are eligible for the Program the day they turn 65.
“Our Seniors Drug Program covers a large number of medications used to treat conditions which affect this population segment, including: infection; breathing ailments, such as asthma and COPD; blood pressure irregularities; heart conditions; high cholesterol; hormone irregularities; arthritis; gastrointestinal ailments; anxiety and depression,” said Minister Bertram. “Our government recognizes that this is an important program which benefitted 17,835 seniors in 2009-10.”