November 28, 2011
New Treatment Option Part of $5-million Annual Commitment to Smoking Cessation: Rondeau
Smokers who want to quit will now have access to another treatment option with the addition of the drug Champix to the Manitoba drug formulary, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.
“Champix is proven to be an effective treatment option for adult smokers who want to quit,” said Rondeau. “It is part of our commitment to invest $5 million annually, equivalent to two per cent of tobacco tax revenue, to support Manitobans who want to quit smoking. Making it available now will mean that people can get it in time to help them with their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking.”
The government is taking action on many fronts in the fight against cancer including commitments to make cancer wait times the shortest in Canada, covering 100 per cent of the cost of cancer drugs (including patients at home), and offering new supports for rural cancer patients, Rondeau said. Manitoba was also the first province in Canada to implement a provincewide indoor smoking ban, it has the highest tobacco tax rates in the country and it now bans smoking in cars where children are present.
“We know that of the one in five Manitobans who smoke today, most would like to quit,” said Will Cooke, Canadian Cancer Society tobacco advocacy co-ordinator. “By listing Champix, the government is providing access to one of the most effective drug therapies available.”
Effective Nov. 24, Champix was added to the Manitoba drug formulary. When a prescription is written by the physician, the cost of this drug is eligible for benefit coverage through pharmacare once the income-based family deductible has been met. A 12-week course of therapy would cost approximately $350.
PROVINCE ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF CHAMPIX TO MANITOBA DRUG FORMULARY
– – –New Treatment Option Part of $5-million Annual Commitment to Smoking Cessation: Rondeau
“Champix is proven to be an effective treatment option for adult smokers who want to quit,” said Rondeau. “It is part of our commitment to invest $5 million annually, equivalent to two per cent of tobacco tax revenue, to support Manitobans who want to quit smoking. Making it available now will mean that people can get it in time to help them with their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking.”
The government is taking action on many fronts in the fight against cancer including commitments to make cancer wait times the shortest in Canada, covering 100 per cent of the cost of cancer drugs (including patients at home), and offering new supports for rural cancer patients, Rondeau said. Manitoba was also the first province in Canada to implement a provincewide indoor smoking ban, it has the highest tobacco tax rates in the country and it now bans smoking in cars where children are present.
“We know that of the one in five Manitobans who smoke today, most would like to quit,” said Will Cooke, Canadian Cancer Society tobacco advocacy co-ordinator. “By listing Champix, the government is providing access to one of the most effective drug therapies available.”
Effective Nov. 24, Champix was added to the Manitoba drug formulary. When a prescription is written by the physician, the cost of this drug is eligible for benefit coverage through pharmacare once the income-based family deductible has been met. A 12-week course of therapy would cost approximately $350.
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