The Manitoba government has added 79 drugs to the provincial drug formulary to ensure patients have access to these medications through the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, announced Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen today. “Medications are important treatments for many different illnesses and diseases,” said Friesen.  “Manitoba’s universal prescription drug benefit program is one of the most comprehensive in the country and these new additions will help families across the province access drug coverage through the program.” Some of the new drugs added to the formulary include: •    Actikerall for the treatment of a skin disorder called hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis; •    Dysport Therapeutic for the treatment of lower limb spasticity; •    Kyleena for conception control; •    Lancora for the treatment of heart failure; •    Revestive for the treatment of short bowel syndrome (SBS); and •    Spinraza for Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Of the 79 drugs added, 73 are generic medications at different strengths.  The minister said the additions reduce the amount that would have otherwise been spent on higher-cost equivalent drugs by $350,000 annually, allowing that money to be reallocated to coverage for new drugs. Coverage for the new drugs will be effective on Jan. 24, 2019. The minister noted the addition of Actikerall, Dysport Therapeutic, Kyleena, Lancora, Revestive and Spinraza are a direct result of Manitoba’s participation in the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA).  By capitalizing on the combined negotiating power of drug plans across multiple provinces and territories, the pCPA objectives are to: •    increase access to clinically effective and cost-effective drug treatment options; •    achieve consistent and lower drug costs for participating jurisdictions; •    reduce duplication of effort and improve use of resources; and •    improve consistency of decisions among participating jurisdictions. The Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary lists therapeutically effective drugs of proven high quality that have been approved as eligible benefits under the pharmacare drug benefit program.  Manitoba pharmacare is based on family income and covers 100 per cent of eligible drug costs once the income-based deductible is reached, regardless of medical condition or age. For more information on the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 20th, 2018, at 12:22am police observed a 24 year old male in an argument outside of a business in the 1100’ block of Princess Ave. The male provided police with a false name and was identified by an officer at the scene. The male was found to have a Canada Wide Warrant of Apprehension & Suspension. When police attempted to place him under arrest he began to fight the officers. Once arrested, he was found in possession of 13.5 grams of meth as well as other drug trafficking materials. The male was lodged at BCC for court on December 20th, 2018.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 19th, 2018, at 12:09am, police executed a search warrant on a hotel room in the 100’ block of Braecrest Drive. Located during the search was approximately one ounce of cocaine ($3000 value) and one ounce of meth ($5000 value). A 49 year old Brandon man was charged with trafficking meth, trafficking cocaine, Breach of Recognizance, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. A 27 year old Brandon female who was also present was charged with Breach of Recognizance for not complying with a curfew condition. Both were lodged at BCC for court on December 19th, 2018.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating John Rodney Wombdiska. Wombdiska is wanted for Break & Enter with Intent, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Disguise with Intent, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, and Failing to Attend Court. DO NOT APPROACH if you see John Wombdiska. Contact either the Brandon Police Service or Crime Stoppers Immediately. He is described as 6’ (183cm), 186lbs (84kg), and 38 years of age. Anyone with information on any unsolved crime is asked to call Brandon Crime Stoppers at 204-727-(TIPS) 8477, www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP and your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers pays up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.

Federal, provincial and municipal leaders have formed a task force to address and respond to the rapid increase in the distribution and use of methamphetamine and other substances. The creation of the Illicit Drug Task Force was announced today by Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Robert-Falcon Ouellette, member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre. “The problems associated with illicit drug use destroy families, hurt communities, cross all jurisdictional boundaries, and require a collaborative and co-ordinated response from all levels of government,” said Friesen. “We look forward to working together with our federal and municipal partners to find solutions and build on recent initiatives of the Manitoba government, such as Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinics.” “After a unanimous vote by our City of Winnipeg council to create a tri-level government task force, I am very pleased to see our government partners join forces to help address this crisis,” said Bowman. “Police continue to identify methamphetamine as a key driver of violent crime in our city and, by themselves, no one level of government can successfully address the challenges of methamphetamine as well as other illicit drugs. It requires a commitment from all levels of government to find ways to strengthen prevention and treatment, as well as enforcement, and this task force is intended to do just that.” “The federal government understands methamphetamine and other illicit drugs are destroying the lives of our youths, families and continues to have a negative impact on communities throughout Manitoba,” said Ouellette. “We see the creation of a joint task force as an opportunity for all three levels of government to work collaboratively and put forth concrete solutions to combat opioids and other illicit drugs. We need to listen to the people doing the work on the ground.” The task force will determine practical short- and long-term recommendations to combat the use and distribution of illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine, opioids, cocaine and hallucinogens. It will include an oversight committee comprised of members from all three levels of government and be chaired by Karen Herd, deputy minister of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living and Michael Jack, the City of Winnipeg’s chief corporate services officer. The co-chairs, in consultation with the oversight committee, will determine members of a working group that will: •    identify areas to improve existing programming relating to the prevention, treatment and deterrence of illicit drug use; •    identify areas to improve enforcement, such as looking at practices employed in other jurisdictions, and explore Criminal Code changes that could further deter and combat the illicit drug trade; •    seek advice from experts including health professionals, social service providers, law enforcement officials, first responders and the legal and academic community; and •    provide recommendations on how government can better communicate with the community, the business sector and vulnerable populations on the dangers of illicit drug use. The task force is expected to produce and publicly release a report in June 2019.