Seniors Protected Against Increasing Drug Costs

Government has accepted the recommendations of seniors' organizations to freeze the annual pharmacare premium and co-pay limit this year. It will also cap the senior's co-pay at a maximum of $30 per prescription.

Meeting today, Feb. 17, with the Group of IX -- an organization that represents seniors' groups -- Health Minister Jane Purves said government is investing more than $10 million to protect seniors against rising drug costs. "Drugs are getting increasingly expensive, and this freeze and co-pay limit will help keep high-cost drugs affordable for our seniors," she said.

The co-pay limit means that seniors will continue to pay 33 per cent of individual prescription costs, but to a maximum of $30 per prescription. For example, seniors now pay $49.50 for a prescription that costs $150. Starting on April 1, they will only pay $30.

Seniors will continue to cover no more than $350 of their prescription costs through co-pay each year. Nova Scotia is the only Atlantic province to have an annual co-pay limit to control costs for all seniors enrolled in provincial drug insurance programs.

Ms. Purves said this builds on last year's action to reduce or eliminate the pharmacare premium for more low-income seniors. In 2002, government exempted or reduced the annual $336 premium payments for an additional 7,000 seniors. This brings the number of seniors not paying an annual premium, or paying a reduced premium, to almost 55,000 of the 95,000 seniors who use the pharmacare insurance program.

"We are very pleased the minister recognized and responded to our recommendations to help Nova Scotia seniors with the ever- increasing and high cost of prescription drugs," said Omer Blinn, chair of the Group of IX. "The freeze on premiums and co-pays, along with the new co-pay limit, will make it easier for many seniors, particularly those taking high-cost drugs, manage their monthly budgets."

While meeting with the Group of IX, the minister also sought advice on matters concerning the safety of seniors living in unlicensed homes.

"Staff work very hard to protect the safety of seniors living in residential care facilities," Ms. Purves said. "At the same time, we want to make changes that give staff more flexibility -- so they can be guided, not just by rules and regulations, but by their compassion and common sense."

Staff of the Department of Health and the fire marshall's office are working on recommendations that will continue to protect seniors, but will also improve communications and the involvement of families. Staff will consult families involved in recent inspections and moves at unlicensed homes. They will also consult with seniors through the Group of IX.

"Seniors have always wanted to be at the table when issues such as pharmacare or long-term care have been discussed. The process we have established with government over the last three years has helped ensure our voices have been heard. We look forward to continuing that relationship and building on the progress we have already made," said Mr. Blinn.