|
Yvonne Jones, Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for
the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, is encouraging people to add
their names to an online petition recommending coverage of Alzheimer and
other related medications in the upcoming budget. The provincial
government has failed in previous budgets to add these costly treatments to
the provincial drug formula. Across the country, Alzheimer and Multiple
Sclerosis patients have their drugs covered under a drug program. The
Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a website,
complete with an online petition, that is meant to pressure government into
paying for these drugs.
"The funding of these medications has to become a priority of this
government," said Ms. Jones. "This disease is challenging enough for
patients, as well as their loved ones, without the added stress of how they
will cover these drug costs. These people are often forced to go without
other necessities to pay for these vital medications. When a government can
commit $2 billion towards a pension plan, then surely they can ensure that
all people in our province have access to medications that will improve
their basic health."
The Alzheimer Society is hoping to present government with the online
petition in the near future. The website containing the petition is at
www.alzheimernl.org.
|