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Province introduces new pharmaceutical strategy to benefit Albertans5 f- U2 j; J' {4 _" V' a
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Edmonton ... The Government of Alberta has announced a new pharmaceutical strategy that will lower or completely eliminate prescription drug costs for about 60 per cent of Alberta’s seniors.
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“This strategy introduces a number of improvements to drug coverage and the drug system,” said Ron Liepert, Minister of Health and Wellness. “Low income seniors will especially benefit from these changes, which will improve access to drug coverage and make it more affordable.” w' ] e6 f5 O8 v9 M" J/ x
; m6 \2 s6 t3 E9 y3 W- {Key changes under phase one of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy include:
3 |/ c: _' Y4 Z. P, cImproving drug coverage for seniors — Drug coverage for seniors will be redesigned, increasing support to those in need. Low-income seniors — single seniors with an annual income of less than $21,325 and senior families with an annual combined income of less than $42,650 — will not pay for drug coverage. Other seniors will pay a deductible based on their income. A co-payment of up to $25 per prescription will no longer be required when the new plan becomes effective January 1, 2010.
0 l3 ~4 o8 H- \; |+ r. mAdjusting non-group coverage premiums to reflect current market rates — Non-group coverage premiums will be adjusted to make these rates comparable to those of employer and private plans. A premium increase will be phased in over two years, beginning in July 2009./ A; _. V2 V" L, i/ w
Establishing a single, government-sponsored drug plan with a common drug list — Currently, five ministries provide drug coverage. To provide greater consistency and clarity, a single, government-sponsored drug plan will be established along with a common drug list. Free drug coverage will continue to be provided to Albertans who receive income support, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), child and adult health benefits as well as special needs children, individuals in correctional facilities, hospital patients, cancer patients, transplant patients and patients with diseases such as HIV, cystic fibrosis and primary pulmonary hypertension.
8 D6 v' @+ e y, _# D6 V% vIntroducing a program to cover catastrophic drug costs for Albertans with extremely rare diseases — A program to cover catastrophic drug costs for Albertans with extremely rare diseases resulting from genetic disorders will be introduced. The program will be part of non-group coverage and will require a five year Alberta residency.
# d) U# N% M' Q/ mCreating a more timely and transparent drug review process — The Expert Committee on Drug Evaluation and Therapeutics will continue to provide therapeutic and scientific views during the drug review process. In addition, a new committee will be formed to provide public input. As well, drug review guidelines and target timelines will be established and a process for independent consideration will be introduced, which will address the needs of patients for whom standard drug treatments are not effective.
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“The changes being proposed today accomplish better alignment with other government programs and ensure that those seniors who are on lower incomes receive government assistance,” Liepert added. “Introducing a new model for senior drug coverage and adjusting non-group premiums will ensure that future cost increases to government are curtailed.”
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Phase two of the strategy, which includes an expanded role for pharmacists and more cost-effective drug purchasing, is under development. Further details will be announced in 2009. |
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发表于 2008-12-9 04:29
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发表于 2008-12-9 08:45
