In an effort to “help more low-income seniors manage their drug costs,” the Nova Scotia government has significantly increased the cost of its provincial drug program for all other seniors. In April the annual premium for the province's Pharmacare program jumped by more than 50%, from $215 to $336.
“This is the first time that the premium has changed since 1995, while drug costs continue to be the fastest growing health expenditure across the country, at about 10% each year,” says Health Minister Jamie Muir. The Pharmacare program, available to seniors who do not have other drug coverage, has also been changed to increase assistance to low-income seniors. As a result, an additional 7000 seniors are eligible for a reduced premium. At present, approximately 95 000 seniors have Pharmacare coverage and roughly half do not pay the full premium. Many pay nothing.
One reason for the changes may be the escalating price of Pharmacare, which will cost the government $87.5 million this year, while the seniors who use it will contribute only $37 million. When Pharmacare premiums were introduced in 1995, the cost was to be split evenly between government and seniors, but the government now pays 70% of the cost. — Donalee Moulton, Halifax