Residents split on changes to N.S. pharmacare program

Lawrence and Dorothy Kitchen say the changes to Nova Scotia's Pharmacare program will create an unexpected expense.

Nova Scotians are split on recent changes to the province's seniors’ pharmacare program, stating it will either save thousands of people money, or wind up costing seniors thousands of dollars they don't have.

Dorothy Kitchen, 83, and her 90-year-old husband Lawrence say the changes will create an unexpected expense.

“At present time I don't use the program,” said Dorothy Kitchen. “I'm not on any regime, I don't have any medication you see. My husband does.”

The Kitchen’s are exempt from annual premiums because they're on the guaranteed income supplement. As of April, premiums will be calculated based on income. That includes the supplement, so they will each owe an annual fee.

“We don't know whether we'll be maximum or not,” said Kitchen.

The maximum is $1,200 per person – an amount Kitchen says they can't afford.

Under the existing program, seniors who don't have private drug coverage pay a premium of $424 dollars a year, plus a 30 per cent co-pay at the pharmacy. The changes will reduce the co-pay to 20 per cent.

Government says it will also reduce premiums for thousands of seniors. Health Minister Leo Glavine admits some people who were previously exempt will end up paying new premiums, but says changes to the program were long overdue.

“Twenty-nine thousand Nova Scotians, or 66 per cent of all seniors, will actually by paying less than what they currently are,” said Glavine.

NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald says the changes will take a toll on seniors.

“What they're doing is they're requiring seniors to bear the costs of healthcare,” said MacDonald.

Dr. Rod Wilson is a member of Canadian Doctors for Medicare. He calls the changes a step in the right direction.

“It improves access for another 12,000 people,” he said.

But Dr. Wilson says a longer-term solution is needed.

“A national pharmacare program, I'm all for, but it's not going to happen tomorrow. It's going to take all provinces,” said Wilson.

Glavine says a national working group is looking at how to better provide drug coverage.

A report is expected in the fall.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.