[News] For those in Labrador & Newfoundland

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I loved Labrador & Newfoundland when I visited them but this doesn't sound like good news for those people there on Medications that don't like generics.

Proposed changes to Newfoundland and Labrador's Pharmaceutical Services Act could mean some people on the government's drug program may end up paying more for prescription drugs and independent pharmacists may earn less.

The government is planning to amend the way it purchases generic drugs this spring with amendments to the act.

When Jerome Kennedy was health minister last July, he said in a government news release that the province was not considering any drug-pricing policy that would download costs to residents.

But if passed, the new legislation tabled in the house this spring will require people on the province's drug plan to pay the difference if they want a drug that's more expensive than the equivalent generic drug covered by the province.

New drug legislation may affect consumers and pharmacies

 

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More news re. Meds in N.L.

I guess this makes the first report easier to take.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Generic drug prices in Newfoundland and Labrador would be cut by almost half over the next year under legislation introduced by the provincial government.

The price for generic drugs would be set at a maximum of 45 per cent of their brand name counterparts by Oct. 1, and that would fall to 35 per cent by April 1, 2013.

The costs of generic drugs are currently capped at 60 per cent of their brand name equivalents.

The Health Department says it will allow exceptions in cases where the drug manufacturer can demonstrate "extraordinary production or manufacturing costs."

Health Minister Susan Sullivan says the measure is intended to keep pace with six other provinces that have already introduced similar measures.

New Brunswick announced last week it is slashing generic drug prices by up to half by the end of this year.

N.L. to cut price of generic drugs by almost half