P.E.I. is the only province in the country not to cover costs for drugs to treat severe forms of inflammatory arthritis, says the group Arthritis Consumer Experts.

'Some … have had to leave the Island in order to get access to their medications.'— Sharon Vance, P.E.I. Arthritis Society

The national group points out that since its first report card was released in October 2007 the Island has consistently ranked last in providing arthritis medications. Sharon Vance of P.E.I.'s Arthritis Society says the drugs, known as biologic response modifiers, are the difference between leading a normal life and struggling with pain and long-term disability. But at a cost of $30,000 a year, Vance said most Islanders with the disease can't afford to pay for the drugs on their own.

"We have been hearing from clients for the last four or five years, some of who have had to leave the Island in order to get access to their medications," she said.

"We have tried every year to contact the government, and send letters to show the importance of these medications to people with these conditions."

The province does spend $1.4 million a year to cover rheumatoid arthritis medications. Faye Martin, the province's director of pharmacy services, said inflammatory arthritis drugs are on a list awaiting approval by the province.

Martin noted there are 70 other drugs on that list, and finding money to cover them all will take time.