FRANCAIS

May 19, 2006

In response to the rapidly increasing cost of new cancer treatments, Health Minister Tim Sale today announced a new provincial oncology program and an increase in funding for cancer drugs.

"This year we are making a major increase in the cancer drug budget - the largest ever - because we want to make sure that cancer patients get the best possible care in the fairest way," said Sale. "And by centralizing the management of cancer drug programs across the province, we are adopting a best practices approach to care that will see improved co-ordination of resources and an enhanced ability to capture opportunities for cost savings."

CancerCare Manitoba will receive a $13.3 million increase to the overall provincial budget for the cancer drug program. This funding will be available immediately.

The provincial oncology program will be a phased-in consolidation of the existing drug budgets of the regional health authorities to be administered by CancerCare Manitoba. When consolidation is complete, the entire oncology drug program budget will be approximately $28 million including the new investment.

Centralized management of oncology medication will allow for improved data collection, analysis and projection of costs to ensure appropriate planning and use of expensive cancer medications, and to better manage the rising costs of oncology drugs. Similar operating structures exist in Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

"This funding increase from the provincial government is a major step," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and CEO, CancerCare Manitoba. "All across the country, cancer agencies are facing major challenges and a national strategy for cancer drugs should be explored. It is essential that we are prepared to deal with the rapidly-evolving field of cancer drugs and the increasing number of patients eligible for these treatments."

The implementation of the new program will begin immediately. The transformation to a highly-organized program is vital for a rigorous performance-measurement system to monitor drug utilization according to best available evidence and patient safety.

From 2003-06, CancerCare Manitoba drug expenditures have increased to $7.7 million from $5.5 million. There are currently 14 community cancer program sites across Manitoba with two more in development, up from 11 sites in 1999.

"We have worked with CancerCare Manitoba and the regional health authorities to put together this plan which will really help cancer patients," said Sale. "Cancer is such a devastating disease that touches so many lives and we hope that this new funding and improved program management will allow us to help even more patients get the care they need."

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