Saskatchewan Supporting Patients with Hepatitis with New Drug

Released on July 28, 2015

Saskatchewan is marking World Hepatitis Day, July 28, joining efforts to raise awareness of the disease and support people living with hepatitis. 

“Our government continues to support residents in accessing health services and new, effective treatment options,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said.  “Beginning August 1, the province will begin providing coverage for Holkira Pak, a new lifesaving drug for patients with hepatitis C who meet certain medical criteria.” 

Holkira Pak is the third new hepatitis C drug to be listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary in addition to Harvoni and Sovaldi, listed earlier this year.  These new drug therapies offer effective, simple and fast treatment for chronic hepatitis C, and can cure patients in as little as eight to twelve weeks.  Over the next three years, Saskatchewan expects to provide coverage for about 1,100 patients who will meet the Exception Drug Status criteria for these drugs. 

“In addition to providing drug therapies, our province continues efforts to enhance prevention, encourage testing, and provide patient centred-services,” Duncan said.  “We’re committed to working closely with our partners and I want to thank them all for their involvement and support.” 

Hepatitis is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver.  The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis B or C can cause serious, long-term complications such as severe, permanent liver damage, liver failure and liver cancer. 

For more information on hepatitis including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, call HealthLine at 811 or visit www.healthlineonline.ca. 

For more information on the drug approval process and income assisted programs, contact Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch at 1-800-667-7581 or 306-787-3317 in Regina.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health 
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca