Substance use disorder medication coverage improving lives for Islanders
Funding for medications used in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders has helped hundreds of patients and saved them more than half a million dollars since being announced in 2022.
Under the program, eligible Island residents receiving medication treatments for alcohol use disorder (Acamprosate and Naltrexone) or opioid use disorders (Methadone, Suboxone, Probuphine and Sublocade) have access to the medications with no burden of out of pocket cost. From June 1 to Dec 31, 2022, 783 people accessed treatment through the program. The out of pocket savings to Islanders for this time period was $523,000.
“These supports have made it more affordable for people to receive the medical help they need in addressing their substance use. We want to reduce the financial barriers that people face in accessing needed medications."
- Health and Wellness Minister Ernie Hudson
To be eligible for the program, participants must have a PEI Health Card and be a permanent resident of PEI. A nurse practitioner or medical practitioner must complete a program registration form.
More information can be found at Substance Use Harm Reduction Drug Program.
Dr. Dave Stewart, who works with Islanders at the province’s Addiction Treatment Centre, said coverage of alcohol dependency drugs in particular has been a game changer for patients in recovery.
“I’m glad to see this list of medications covered and made accessible to people,” he said. “It’s had a positive impact on the recovery journey for many individuals.”
The program is supported by the federal-provincial Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Program (IAAPD). The funding agreement was signed in March 2022. Since then, PEI has added medications to provincial drugs programs to help people dealing with cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions, as well as mental health and addictions treatment. The burden of paperwork on doctors has also been reduced by removing the special authorization requirements on many needed medications.
Details on PEI’s support for the cost of prescription medication are available at: Drug Programs.
Media contact:
Ron Ryder
Senior Communications Officer
Health and Wellness
rrryder@gov.pe.ca