By Sarah Klein
WINNIPEG — 154 new medications are now covered under Manitoba’s Pharmacare Program, including coverage for a drug used to control high blood sugar.
“We are continuously working to add drugs to the pharmacare program in a timely manner to ensure Manitobans have access to medications that offer important treatments for many different illnesses and treatments at a more affordable price,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen.
Tresiba is one of the drugs now covered and is a long-acting insulin for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The province is also moving insulin drugs Lantus, Levemir and Basaglar from Part 3 of the formulary to Part 1, enhancing access for people with diabetes as physicians will no longer need to apply for coverage of these drugs before the patient gets it from their pharmacy.
The province says of the drugs added, 120 are cost-effective equivalent generic medications, which is expected to save the government $1 million.
Coverage for the new drugs is effective immediately.
