Changes to Manitoba Pharmacare & Family Services Drug Programs benefit coverage for Proton Pump Inhibitors effective March 13, 2006

Apo-Omeprazole®, Losec®, Pariet®, Pantoloc®, and Prevacid® are PPIs that are currently covered under the Manitoba Pharmacare and Family Services Drug Programs. Effective March 13, 2006, Pharmacare and Family Service Drug programs will require physicians to apply for Part 3 Exception Drug Status (EDS) coverage for all new patients starting PPI therapy. Patients will be required to have tried and failed a course of Pariet 10 mg and Omeprazole 20 mg before they will be considered for benefit coverage for other PPI medications.

Patients currently on existing PPI therapy will be provided benefit coverage for all eligible PPIs until January 15, 2007. Effective January 15, 2007 Pharmacare and Family Services Drug Programs will require Part 3 Exception Drug Status (EDS) be in place for a patient's PPI therapy if they wish to have continued benefit coverage for these medications. The period between March 13, 2006 and January 15, 2007 will allow patients time to try Pariet and Omeprazole. If they try and fail on these two products, EDS coverage for alternate PPI must be applied for by January 15, 2007.