Diabetic supplies will be covered in Sask drug plan

Saskatchewan's Health Minister says the province's drug plan will now cover supplies for diabetics.

John Nilson says the plan encompasses diabetic supplies like needles, syringes, lancets and swabs.

Until now, diabetics were compensated only for insulin, glucose test strips, and type II diabetic drugs. Nilson says this could save some diabetics about $500 a year.

"We have some extra resources that we received in the federal provincial negotiations," says Nilson. "It was basically to improve pharmacare, home care and primary care programs. So this is what we've decided to do as part of what we're doing in Saskatchewan."

Some nutritional supplements will also be added to the plan.

Nilson says making these additions to the drug plan will cost the province about $8 million over the next 18 months.