Prescription drug coverage in Canada: a review of the economic, policy and political considerations for universal pharmacare

Table 1 – Provincial Drug Coverage Programs for General Population (non-senior and non-social assistance)

	Patient Eligibility	Coverage Details
British Columbia	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with deductibles up to 3% of annual income, then patient pays 30% co-insurance.
Alberta	No restrictions	Voluntary coverage with premiums, then patient pays 30% co-insurance.
Saskatchewan	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with deductibles at 3.4% annual income, then patient pays 35% co-insurance.
Manitoba	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with deductibles up to 6.97% annual income, then full coverage of eligible drugs.
Ontario	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with deductibles at approximately 4% of annual income, then patient pays $2 fixed co-payment.
Quebec	Restricted to those not eligible for private insurance	Mandatory coverage with premiums and a $19.90 monthly deductible, then patient pays 34.9% co-insurance.
Newfoundland	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with out-of-pocket payments ranging from 5 to 10% of income
Nova Scotia	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with deductibles up to 20% of annual income, then patient pays 20% co-insurance.
New Brunswick	No restrictions	Voluntary coverage with premiums, then co-payments of $5 to $30 per eligible prescription, depending on income.
Prince Edward Island	No restrictions	Catastrophic coverage with deductibles up to 12% of annual income, then full coverage of eligible drugs.

Source [93]: Authors summary of information in CIHI (1028) National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System Plan Information Document, July 2018 supplemented by information from public drug plan websites, where necessary

ISSN: 2052-3211