NS, PEI eye disease patients ask: Why no new treatment for us?

     Email article       Add to Basket

(NC)—Patients in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island living with macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss are asking themselves why their governments are not paying for a treatment that can actually prevent vision loss.

They are angry that their provinces do not pay for the newest and best treatment for AMD, Lucentis, which is able to actually improve vision in people living with this devastating disease that can rob people of their sight in a matter of weeks to months.

What makes the situation even more shocking is that neighbouring provinces such as New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador recently announced that they would be paying for the innovative treatment. Drug plans in most other provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia are also paying for the treatment. Why should resident s in Nova Scotia and PEI with macular degeneration be treated any different?

“I don't think it's fair that people have to pay out of their own pockets to save their sight just because they live in Nova Scotia or PEI?” said Mr. Murray Knowles from Halifax, whose vision has benefited greatly from Lucentis treatments. “If I lived across the border in New Brunswick, it would be paid for. Why won't they pay for a treatment that does something as important as helping me maintain my sight and my independence?”

About 300,000 Canadians suffer from wet AMD and it is anticipated that 20,000 new cases will be diagnosed in Canada this year. It is expected the number of cases diagnosed each year will double within the next 25 years.

www.newscanada.com

Word count: 264

Attention Editors: This article is for use in Nova Scotia

Terms of Use

Articles are provided free of charge. Articles appearing on web sites, must credit www.newscanada.com. Articles appearing in Print, must credit News Canada with (NC) at beginning of an article or – News Canada at the end. Any source/sponsor of the information quoted in the text must also be identified as presented. Images are only to be used with corresponding editorial copy. Usage of News Canada articles constitutes your acceptance of these terms and an agreement between you and News Canada.