CHILDREN 14 AND UNDER RECEIVE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE BEGINNING IN JULY

Beginning July 1, 2008, children up to age 14 will have their prescription drug costs capped at $15 per prescription.

"This is yet another promise that our new government is keeping," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "We want a drug plan that takes care of those most vulnerable, while being affordable for taxpayers. This is it."

There is no application required for the new Children's Drug Plan. Coverage is automatic as of July 1 for children 14 and under.

Seniors across Saskatchewan will soon be receiving applications and information on the new Seniors' Drug Plan set to take effect on July 1, 2008.

The Ministry of Health is mailing information to nearly 150,000 Saskatchewan seniors who may be eligible for coverage under the amended program.

Eligible residents 65 years and older will continue to pay only $15 for drugs listed on the Saskatchewan formulary and those approved under Exception Drug Status. Seniors who pay less than $15 for their prescriptions covered by other benefit programs will continue to do so.

Under the new Seniors' Drug Plan, the seniors' individual annual net income reported in 2006 must be less than $64,044 to be eligible for coverage.

"Savings from the new Seniors' Drug Plan's income test component allows the drug plan to extend the same low-cost drug coverage to Saskatchewan families with children 14 and under," McMorris said. "We are committed to compassionate care not only for our province's seniors, but the next generation of Saskatchewan residents."

The current Seniors' Drug Plan coverage will remain in place until June 30 only; starting July 1, coverage will be extended only to those seniors who have applied and met the eligibility requirements.

The Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch are asking seniors to return their application forms by March 31, to ensure that applications are processed and coverage is in place for eligible seniors by July 1.

Additional information on the Seniors' Drug Plan and Children's Drug Plan is available at www.health.gov.sk.ca/prescription-drugs or by contacting the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch in Regina at 306-787-3317 or toll free at 1-800-667-7581.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca