The provincial government announced Monday it’s adding 93 drugs to the provincial medicare formulary, which it says will save Manitoba families $5 million annually.
"Manitoba families depend on these important drugs to maintain or improve their quality of life," said Erin Selby, the province’s new health minister, in a statement.
"Families deserve access to today's most effective drug treatments and that is why our government has worked hard to increase the number of drugs on the Manitoba formulary while making certain it is the best value for their tax dollars," she said.
The drugs include medications for arthritis, stroke and lung cancer patients.
Selby said five of the new drugs were added as a result of Manitoba's participation in the Pan-Canadian Pricing Alliance:
- Cimzia, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis;
- Eliquis, for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation;
- Onbrez, for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- Stribild, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection; and
- Xalkori, for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The province said the Pan-Canadian Pricing Alliance, established in 2010, lets provinces and territories use their “collective purchasing power” to secure lower prices.
More information on the Manitoba Pharmacare Program is available on the province’s website.
