The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Speaker, I rise today to introduce an initiative regarding the coverage of certain medications under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.

I am pleased to announce coverage for several anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, has been expanded under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program to open benefits – Apixaban, Rivoroxaban and Edoxaban. Changing these drugs to open benefits allows easier access for individuals taking these medications.

Speaker, these drugs are effective for a number of conditions, including the prevention of stroke and treating blood clots. Prior to this initiative, these medications were only available through a special authorization process. Removing the requirement for special authorization improves the access to these medications. It improves quality of life for affected patients by reducing bloodwork requirements, and helps to limit demands on our health care system. Approximately 3,500 patients are anticipated to benefit from this change in listing status.

Speaker, the change in status of these drugs on the provincial prescription drug program signals our government’s continued focus on improving access to health care for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you.