The government of Manitoba announced Monday that patients will have access to coverage for 54 new drugs through the Manitoba Pharmacare Program.
Pharmacare is a universal prescription drug benefit program which covers the covers 100 per cent of the eligible drug cost for Manitobans based on family income, regardless of medical condition or age.
Included in the list is a Hepatitis C drug, Holkira Pak, which has a cure rate of more than 90 per cent and few side effects, said the province.
The announcement comes one day ahead of World Hepatitis Day which falls on July 28.
Hepatitis C is a virus which affecting the liver. It’s spread through blood-to-blood contact.
“Over the past 16 years, the Manitoba government has added approximately 4500 new drugs to the Pharmacare Program to help Manitoba families cure or manage their illnesses,” said Health Minister Sharon Blady in an email statement.
Coverage for the new drugs came into effect on July 22.
A total of 24 of the 54 drugs added are generic medications.
Some of the other new drugs added to the formulary include:
• Anoro Ellipta and Ultibro Breezhaler for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Diacomit for the treatment of epilepsy;
• Fosrenol for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia (the presences of abnormally high levels of phosphate in the blood);
• Inspra for the treatment of heart failure;
• Janumet and Janumet XR for the treatment of diabetes;
• Jaydess for contraception;
• Metadol for the treatment of chronic pain;
• Myrbetriq for the treatment of overactive bladder; and
• Tivicay for the treatment of HIV.
A full list of medications covered by the Pharmacare Program is available on the province's website.
