The provincial government is expanding access to expensive drugs used to treat rare diseases.

It’s going to eliminate financial barriers, such as maximum household income restrictions, thanks to a federal-provincial agreement signed in St. John’s yesterday.

Health Minister John Hogan says Newfoundland and Labrador has a good track record when it comes to the financial ability of its residents to avail of such medications.

Only one in every 2,000 people will be diagnosed with a rare illness.

The minister says the $150,000 maximum household income threshold will be eliminated, and anyone making over $75,000 a year will now have to pay a maximum of 10 per cent of their income toward the medication.

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland says expanding access was the right thing to do.