The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce that long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMAs) inhalers, used in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, are now open benefits for beneficiaries of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) effective June 14, 2024.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung disease that results in severe progressive airway dysfunction. Patients diagnosed with COPD experience shortness of breath, limitation of physical activity, reduced quality of life, and increased hospitalizations. Inhalers help improve the symptoms of COPD, prevent exacerbations, and improve quality of life.
The change to open listing on the NLPDP reduces the administrative burden of prescribers by eliminating the special authorization process that had been in place. This will ensure NLPDP beneficiaries have timely access to these inhalers for the treatment of their COPD.
This update is part of the Provincial Government’s continued commitment to increasing access to health care. It complements other health care actions, including the creation of family care teams, the pediatric glucose monitoring pilot program, the expansion of scopes of practice for nurses and pharmacists, and the launch of the personal health record, which allows residents to access the same information their providers have.
Quote
“We are proud to make it easier for health care professionals to prescribe the inhalers that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with COPD need. These changes ensure that patients will more quickly gain access to quality care while at the same time alleviating providers’ administrative burdens.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
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Learn more
Amendments Pave the Way for Prescribing by Registered Nurses and Open Pathways for Additional Nurses
Expanded Scope of Practice for Pharmacists Improves Access to Health Care
Provincial Government Launches the Personal Health Record
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