Pharmacare Premium and Co-payment to Remain the Same

The Department of Health and the Seniors' Pharmacare board of directors announced today there will be no increase in the Pharmacare premium and co-payment for 1998/99.

The Pharmacare premium will stay at $215 and the co-payment at 20 per cent, to a maximum of $200.

"We're pleased we can keep the program cost to seniors the same," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "The program will continue to be one of the best in the country. The efforts of the Pharmacare board in managing the program are certainly appreciated."

Seniors will receive their Pharmacare 1998/99 registration forms in the mail, starting this week. The credit will continue to be available to low-income single and married seniors this year. The variety of payment options will also stay the same.

The 1996/97 Pharmacare annual report was also released today.

There were 107,057 seniors enrolled in the program from April 1, 1996, to March 31, 1997. The program cost was $83.2 million. Seniors contributed $35.1 million to the overall program costs through premiums and co-payments.

Pharmacare program costs are shared between government and seniors. The program had a $5.2 million deficit in 1996/97. The province increased its contribution to $47 million to cover the shortfall.

"We were very pleased the province was able to increase its contribution," said Dean Salsman, chairman of the Seniors' Pharmacare board of directors. "The board is reviewing all areas of cost with government to ensure the program is sustainable, as well as reviewing medications taken by seniors."

If seniors have any questions about the program, they can call Pharmacare at 1-800-544-6191 or, for local calls, 429-6565. Copies of the Pharmacare annual report can be obtained by contacting the Senior Citizens' Secretariat at 1-800-670-0065 or, for local calls, 424-0065.