PEI delegate urges implementation of a Catastrophic Prescription Drug Program

August 22, 2007, Vancouver, BC – Physician delegates attending the 140th Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) in Vancouver yesterday supported a resolution urging government to implement a Catastrophic Prescription Drug Program.  The resolution was presented by Medical Society of PEI President, Dr. Scott Cameron, seconded by CMA President-elect, Dr. Brian Day:

The Canadian Medical Association urges governments, in consultation with the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association and the public, to establish a Catastrophic Prescription Drug Program to be administered through reimbursement of provincial/territorial and private prescription drug plans to ensure that all Canadians have access to medically necessary drug therapies.

Catastrophic drug costs as defined by both the Kirby and Romanow Reports are the costs which exceed 3% of a household after-tax income.

In seeking support for the resolution, Dr. Cameron advised, “It is important for our politicians and policy-makers to understand that the cost of treating common diseases and conditions is financially punitive or even impossible for a significant portion of our population. Many Canadians are faced with the desperate choice of treating their medical conditions or paying for basics of food and shelter.”

Federal and Provincial governments have made several commitments to catastrophic drug coverage and all deadlines for commitments have passed without action or results.

The largest proportion of at-risk Canadians resides in Atlantic Canada.

 “It cannot be considered acceptable, in one the richest countries, that Canadians are denied access to medically necessary care on the basis of household income or province of residence,” noted Cameron.

Six delegates from the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island are currently attending the CMA Annual Meeting and General Council proceedings, August 19-22, 2007.
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For more information, contact Kathy Maher, Communications Director, MSPEI
Phone: (604) 648-1333