Why Is Prescription Medicine A Problem In Canada?

Due to the universal medical model, Canada often boasts one of the best medical systems in the world. But our system has major defects. Our universal medical system does not include some essential drugs. This shortcoming particularly affects vulnerable groups in Canada facing the challenge of prescription drugs. These challenges are also called “challenges”. The interval not joined and not joined can be divided into two groups.

Who belongs to the vulnerable group?

Vulnerable groups include minority or ethnic patients, children, the elderly, socio-economic vulnerable groups, underinsured groups or people with specific diseases.

difference

This gap is mainly caused by two main factors/factors: Canadians do not have any form of life insurance(uninsured) including drug insurance. Canadians have some form of life insurance, including drug insurance, but they still face financial challenges that affect their ability to obtain the drugs needed to maintain their health(insufficient insurance).

In fact, it is not surprising that one in ten Canadians cannot buy prescription drugs. Because the price of prescription drugs in Canada is higher than that in most other countries in the world. According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, prescription drug insurance in Canada is a mixture of public prescription drug programs and personal insurance programs. The public plans of each province differ in terms of qualification, affordability and which drugs are included.

How many Canadians do not have insurance?

According to the recent report of the Canadian Conference Committee, about 5.2% of Canadians are uninsured, mainly individuals from Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador. This means that these individuals are not eligible for public prescription drug insurance, nor are they eligible for personal insurance. However, the report mentioned that due to the introduction of the expanded Ontario Health Insurance Plan(OHIP), the proportion of Canadians who did not participate in the plan fell to about 1.8% in January 2018.

More worryingly, more than 4 million Canadians are eligible for public or personal life insurance but are not registered. 54% of Canadians who did not take prescription drugs did not know, and 3% were not sure whether there was a public drug plan to help pay for prescription drugs.

Underinsured Canadians

Many Canadians are lucky enough to participate in public or private drug programs, but insurance premiums, deductibles, or co payments, even annual or lifetime caps, will incur their own costs. According to the plan itself, these out of pocket expenses may result in individuals being unable to pay for prescription drugs needed to maintain their health. The Canadian Institute for Health Policy reported that most of the financial challenges faced by Canadians with regard to drug coverage were due to inadequate insurance under existing public drug plans.

Drug programs across Canada

According to the Canadian government, state and regional governments provide drug welfare programs to eligible groups. Some are income based national plans, while most are specific plans for population groups. In order to cope with high drug costs, greater coverage may be required.

These groups include the elderly, recipients of social assistance, and individuals with diseases or illnesses related to high drug costs.

Albertans are especially lucky. Because the province provides a variety of drug plans to adapt to different situations. From Alberta adult health insurance benefits to adult health insurance benefits and special drug insurance benefits, it is recommended that Albertans conduct self-education to find out the drug plan insurance coverage they meet.

The Fraser Institute published an article in October 2018, outlining that families with incomes below $39250(if they have children) in Alberta can pay an insurance premium of $82.60 per month, so that they can take advantage of the state’s non group insurance program. Prescription drugs included in the program need to pay up to 30% of the joint cost of $25 per prescription drug. High income families in Alberta can also participate in the program, but the preparatory fees are higher. Alberta low-income families and other insurance conditions such as pregnancy, high continuous prescription demand and barriers can exempt many prescription drugs and some over-the-counter drugs from insurance premiums and all co payments. For example, a parent of a child with an income of less than $26000 in Alberta can be exempted from paying insurance premiums and co pay under adult health benefits.

What does all this mean?

In general, the figures support that, of the total population of nearly 36.3 million, more than 13.1 million Canadians are included in the public drug plan and nearly 23.2 million Canadians are included in the personal drug plan.