The Manitoba government is lifting the one-month supply limit on prescription drugs.

Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen is announcing that effective May 11, Manitobans who have prescriptions for long-term medications will be able to fill them as per their prescriber’s directions up to a three-month supply if the drug is not affected by shortages.

minimize potential distribution shortages and prevent people from stockpiling medication due in part to messaging from the federal government to Canadians. Another contributing factor is the typically high volume of dispensing that occurs at the end of Manitoba’s Pharmacare Program year, which is in late March.

“While this decision to restrict prescription fills to one month was necessary, we have been monitoring carefully the consequences and recognize the impact this has had on many Manitobans,” Friesen says. “As a result, our government is pleased to be removing the one-month limit now that the global and domestic drug supply is showing to be more stable.”

Friesen noted today’s announcement builds on other measures the government has taken to minimize the financial pressure caused as a result of the policy.

“Our government acted early and announced shortly after placing the limit on prescription fills, pharmacare rates would be frozen at last year’s level, and users would see no increase to their pharmacare deductible,” Friesen says.

The minister also announced the immediate establishment of a time-limited, COVID-19 drug shortage working group which will be comprised of provincial officials, as well as representatives from Pharmacists Manitoba and the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba.

g more than 10 days before their next scheduled refill, and not requesting quantities in excess of 100 days’ supply, to help maintain the drug supply going forward.