No New Pharmacare Fees

Nova Scotia seniors will not see any fee increase in the Seniors' Pharmacare program this year, Health Minister Angus MacIsaac announced today, March 2.

The province is investing an additional $14.2 million in the program to prevent an increase in premiums and co-payments, said Mr. MacIsaac.

"I am happy to inform seniors that they won't face an increase this year," Mr. MacIsaac said. "This program is among the best in Atlantic Canada and we want to ensure it stays affordable for Nova Scotia's seniors."

Seniors will receive a registration package in the mail later this month as a reminder that they must renew their coverage with the Pharmacare program by April 15.

The Seniors' Pharmacare program is cost-shared by the Department of Health and seniors age 65 and older. Those who receive guaranteed income supplement (GIS) are exempt from paying premiums. Others pay a reduced amount based on income. The full premium of $390 per year is paid by about 39,000 program members. About 46,000 low-income seniors have their premiums waived altogether.

"All drug plans are experiencing increases in prices and more prescriptions are being filled. However, the government will spend an extra $14.2 million this year so seniors don't see any increase in costs," said Mr. MacIsaac. "We know, for many seniors, any extra cost is a burden."

Co-payments of 33 per cent, to a maximum of $30 per prescription, remain the same and the total cost of co-payments is still capped at $350 annually.

"This is a firm commitment from the provincial government to give Nova Scotians what is one of the most affordable seniors' programs in the country," said Phil Hughes, chair of the Group of IX, an umbrella group that represents 120,000 seniors including the Canadian Pensioners Concerned, the Canada Association for Fifty Plus, retired teachers and retired provincial employees. "We're very relieved and pleased to see this."

An information package regarding the Pharmacare program will be mailed out in the third week of March. The deadline to register for Pharmacare has been extended to April 15. New senior citizens automatically receive a registration kit in the mail three months prior to their 65th birthday.