Graham plans new prescription drug plan

The Liberals are promising to fund a universal prescription drug program, including paying for catastrophic drug costs, Shawn Graham announced on Tuesday.

Graham made the announcement in Riverview on Tuesday afternoon, although there was no pricetag placed on the health-care proposal.

Graham announced a series of other health-related campaign promises, such as funding for insulin pumps for children.

The Liberal leader said he does not believe that ability to pay for medication should be a barrier to accessing necessary health services.

"New Brunswickers need help in dealing with chronic diseases such as diabetes, and the fallout from illness that can have dramatic effects on one's finances," Graham said in a statement.

"The ability to pay shouldn't be the determining factor in quality of life."

The other planks of the Liberal health strategy announced on Tuesday include:

• Creating a chronic disease management unit in the health department
• Implement an electronic medical record for use by primary care providers
• An addictions strategy focusing on people with mental health conditions, youth and First Nations people
• Better training in palliative care for home-support workers

Graham is fighting for re-election in the Sept. 27 campaign.

The Liberals were criticized last week by a mental health activist saying that a major report on the mental health system was being ignored.

Eugene Niles, a past president of the New Brunswick branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, said the health department is stalling on releasing its response to Judge Michael McKee's 2008 report into the mental health system.

McKee released his report in February 2009. It contained 80 recommendations that called for a drastic overhaul of the mental health system.