The P.E.I. government announced Friday it is adding 10 drugs to the provincial drug coverage program.

Six of the drugs will be provided to patients who face very high drug bills, providing they meet established clinical criteria. An income assessment will also be completed to determine the co-pay amount for those drug costs.

  • Lucentis, for wet age-related macular degeneration
  • Avastin, for metastatic colorectal cancer
  • Enbrel, for ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
  • Humira, for ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
  • Remicade, for ankylosing spondylitis
  • Orencia, for severe rheumatoid arthritis

The other four drugs will be provided to patients who meet established clinical criteria and who qualify through the Family Health Benefit, financial assistance, nursing home and seniors' programs.

  • Fragmin, for prevention and treatment of blood clots in patients unable to use warfarin and heparin
  • Lovenox, for prevention and treatment of blood clots in patients unable to use warfarin and heparin
  • Proscar, for benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • Avodart, for benign prostatic hyperplasia

The drugs will become part of the formulary on July 1. The province estimates the medications will help about 200 Islanders this year.

Health Minister Carolyn Bertram said a group of health professionals helped decide which drugs should be covered.

"We have seen where other provinces have put these drugs on to their provincial programs, and it's a good news story for today and it's a good news story for colorectal cancer patients in this province," Bertram said.

"It's good news for patients suffering from macular degeneration, it's good news for arthritic patients out there, and a lot of seniors in our province."

Colleen Murray, a volunteer with P.E.I.'s Arthritis Society, said the drugs that will now be covered can really improve the lives of people with arthritis.

"I've seen people whose lives are just totally changed," she said. " I mean, from being in a wheelchair to being able to go back and possibly work part time, or be very active in their communities. So, it will make a big difference in people's lives."