Minister Accepts Pharmacare Working Group Recommendations

A working group on the provincial Seniors' Pharmacare program, after exploring funding alternatives, has recommended broad consultation take place before premiums are eliminated for all seniors, Health Minister Jim Smith said today.

The recommendation was made after the working group examined many options, including: structures of other provincial pharmacare programs, introducing deductibles, increasing the co-payments and charging a flat fee for each prescription. However, in each case, the greatest negative impact would have been on low-income seniors least able to afford the drugs.

"As much as we wanted to follow through on our intention to eliminate premiums this year, we could not and would not make a change that would have a harsh impact on the sick and the poor," said Dr. Smith. "We will follow through on the recommendations of the working group and conduct a broad public consultation on the role, funding and coverage of prescription drugs for Nova Scotians, including children and low-income families."

The Department of Health will release a discussion document in late spring that will be the basis for the further public consultation.

The minister confirmed that both the pharmacare premium and co-pay will not increase this coming year. Government's share of the total cost of the pharmacare program is expected to rise to almost 80 per cent. Nearly 110,000 seniors currently benefit from the pharmacare program.

"The Nova Scotia program remains one of the most generous and comprehensive seniors' drug plans in the country," Dr. Smith said.

The department has also accepted a number of interim changes to the program as identified by the working group and seniors themselves.

These measures include:

• coverage for low-income seniors will be automatically renewed
• money that used to go into a rebate program will now go directly into the pharmacare program to help cover the escalating costs of drugs for all seniors under the program
• in response to seniors who are already covered by private drug plans and are required to pay two premiums, the government will amend regulations to require private companies be the primary drug insurer; the pharmacare program will be the insurer of last resort.

Seniors will receive information on these changes in the mail and will be encouraged to call 902-429-6565 or 1-800-544-6191 with questions. Pharmacists, insurance companies and seniors' organizations are also being notified of the changes.

Seniors can expect to receive their pharmacare renewal notices for 1999/2000 this week.