The Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) has sent a letter to the Government of Saskatchewan asking for them to help relieve prescription dispensing costs for seniors.

Before COVID-19 began, the Seniors’ Drug Plan allowed low-income seniors to fill up three months worth of prescriptions for $25 each.

That has now changed due to the government wanting to safeguard the province’s drug supply during the pandemic.

Seniors now have to pay $25/month per prescription.

Kathleen Spatt, the President of CARP Saskatchewan says the change has a significant impact on seniors who have multiple prescriptions.

“It’s not uncommon for them take as five, seven, or even more medications,” said Spatt. “Now you’re telling me I have to renew every month, now I’m tripling my cost.”

While many seniors have struggled adapting to the changes, Spatt says many of them agree with it.

“It did make sense to go to the 30-day refill of a prescription, that is something that I don’t think anyone is going to dispute. That it made sense that they wanted to keep a closer eye on our supplies,” said Spatt. “That being said, what it did have, is an unfortunate consequence for low-income seniors.”

Spatt added that, in some cases, the increase will result in seniors having to make difficult decisions on how to spend their money.

“When the prescription costs are more than they can bear, they’re faced with having to decide what they can do without,” said Spatt. “It’s going to be groceries, paying their heating bill, it’s going to be something else.”

Spatt says CARP has not received any communication from the province about the letter, but she says she is hoping that the government recognizes the issue and follows other provinces in addressing the fees.