No Increase in Pharmacare Fees; Newspaper Report Errs

A front-page story in today's Halifax Chronicle-Herald and Mail-Star reporting an increase in fees for the Seniors' Pharmacare program is incorrect, said Health Minister Jim Smith.

"The board of directors of the Seniors' Pharmacare program announced in February that there would be no increase in premiums or co-pay amounts," said Dr. Smith. "Nothing has changed. There will be no increase."

Pharmacare received a $2.8-million increase in last week's provincial budget to cover higher drug costs and prescription levels. The total amount in the Department of Health budget for Pharmacare is $54 million.

"I am concerned by the impression that this inaccurate story will leave with the seniors of the province," said Dr. Smith. "Nova Scotia seniors can be assured there is no increase planned in Pharmacare premiums or co-pay amounts."

The annual Pharmacare premium can be up to $215, depending on income. The government pays the premiums for many low-income seniors. The co-payment amount is 20 per cent of drug costs to a maximum of $200 per year.

About 107,000 seniors are enrolled in the Seniors' Pharmacare program, which is one of the most generous in the country.

The newspaper story was based on debate on the health budget in the legislature Tuesday. It also inaccurately reported that Dr. Smith said regional health boards didn't save the government money last year.

Dr. Smith was not asked about regionalization, which has produced cost savings even though that wasn't the primary objective. The primary objective of regionalization was decentralization of decision-making and integration of services at the regional level.

The minister was responding to a question about the amalgamation of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. He indicated there are transition costs associated with hospital amalgamations.