(Pexels/CC0)
Results of a new study point to a feasible first step in creating universal health care in Canada: public funding of essential medication. Study authors identified a list of 117 essential medicines, including antibiotics, insulin, heart medication, antidepressants, oral contraceptives and more. They found that medication from the list made up 44 percent of all prescriptions in 2015. Currently, Canadians rely on a mix of private and public funding for various medications; many patients opt out of medication courses if they cannot afford the out-of-pocket cost. Researchers estimated that public funding of essential medication could save patients over $4 million annually, while the additional costs for the government would make up just one billion dollars.
Authors:
Steve Morgan, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Email: steve.morgan@ubc.ca & Nav Persaud, Associate Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Email: nav.persaud@utoronto.ca
Original paper published in CMAJ on February 27, 2017.
