Ontario Nurses' Association Supportive of Drug Cost Cuts But Remains
Concerned About Nursing Cuts

TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - Noting that Ontario already spends 10.7 per cent more on drugs per capita than other provinces, the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) is pleased that the government is turning its attention to reducing provincial drug costs.

"Front-line registered nurses certainly share the government's concern about the rising costs of pharmaceuticals, which have been consuming a large portion of precious health-care system dollars," said Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN.

"Our dedicated, nurses are worried that for some time the savings have been focused on cutting nursing care hours for our patients, impacting their health outcomes with little attention paid to other costs in the system," said Haslam-Stroud.

ONA is the union representing 55,000 front-line registered nurses and allied health professionals and more than 12,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community and industry.

For further information: Ontario Nurses' Association, Sheree Bond, [phone], ext. 2430, Cellular: [phone]; Ruth Featherstone, [phone], ext. 2267