Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Mark McLane, Minister of Health and Wellness for Prince Edward Island (PEI), announced that as of July 1, 2023, PEI will enhance its Catastrophic Drug Program by lowering the cap on the amount of money a household needs to spend out of pocket on eligible medications.

“For too many Canadians, the cost of medication is an additional barrier to accessing the health care they need. This partnership continues to improve access and affordability to essential medications for Island residents who need it the most. Together we can bring essential medications within reach for everyone who needs them on PEI while we continue our work toward improving access and affordability for all Canadians through a national pharmacare program.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

“Since we signed the funding agreement in March 2022, these funding dollars have helped us ensure that more medications are in reach for Islanders and Island families. The addition of these changes to the Catastrophic Drug program provides opportunity for eligible residents to save on medication costs each year. We know that medications are a critical part of health care on Prince Edward Island and recognize many Islanders face challenges in getting access to the medications they need to live a healthier life.”

The Honourable Mark McLane
Minister of Health and Wellness, Government of Prince Edward Island

“For too many people in PEI, the burden of prescription drug costs gets in the way of accessing vital health care. Today, I am thrilled that the expansion of our program means greater affordability for prescription drugs. The expanded program will ensure more Island residents in need can obtain essential medications and life-saving treatments.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“Lowering the threshold for access to these medications will ensure Island residents who need it most have access to the essential drugs, without suffering financially or having to make difficult choices, like choosing between good food and shelter or medications. Financial barriers should not limit access to required treatments. These changes promote equity in health care on PEI.”

Dr. Michael Gardam
Chief Executive Officer at Health PEI

• Based on the previous year in the Catastrophic Drug Program, it was determined that more than 1,100 PEI residents will benefit from these changes to the Program. These new changes will save Island residents enrolled in the Catastrophic Drug Program an estimated $430K annually.

• With this agreement, PEI is receiving $35 million over four years (2021-22 to 2024-25) in federal funding to improve access to and make prescriptions drugs more affordable.

• This funding is in addition to the concrete steps the government is taking toward the implementation of national pharmacare, as outlined in Budget 2022.

• This announcement builds on previous changes made by the Government of PEI to improve access to medications, including the addition of 61 medications on its list of covered drugs. These improvements include medications used in the treatment of cancer, heart disease, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

• In March 2023, the Government of Canada supported PEI in announcing the expansion of its provincial drug coverage to reduce Island residents’ out-of-pocket costs on many prescription medicines. This included expanding access to the Catastrophic Drug Program and increase access to the High-Cost Drug Program.

• In June 2023, the Government of Canada supported PEI in reducing copays for commonly prescribed, eligible medications to $5 for residents covered under the Seniors Drug, the Family Health Benefit, as well as the Generic Drug and Diabetes Drug programs. This includes medications used to manage mental health, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and represents about 60% of prescriptions that Island residents use on a regular basis.

• Also in June 2023, the Government of Canada supported PEI in adjusting the High-Cost Drug Program to remove financial and administrative barriers for those in the lowest income brackets.  

Associated links

• Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island Continue Work to Save Islanders Millions Under Expanded Coverage
• Government of Canada and Prince Edward Island accelerate work to implement pharmacare
• Public input sought on PEI’s prescription drug coverage

Guillaume Bertrand
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Samantha Hughes
Media Contact
Health and Wellness
shughes@gov.pe.ca
902-316-1323

Public Inquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709