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As Canadians, we take pride in our accessible social services and especially in our health care system. Although there is often debate over health care issues, we generally feel safe, lucky and taken care of by the government. However, once we leave our GP’s office, prescription in hand, what happens then? The government covers most doctor’s fees but not the drugs that they prescribe. Prescription drugs can be extremely costly and can, at any time, take a bite out of one’s budget.
If you are not covered by an employer, you should carefully consider the best plan for your needs. Private insurance plans can differ substantially in the amounts and types of medication that they cover, and they all have different deductibles and caps on payments. Make sure to understand who and what your plan will cover. You’ll be grateful in the long run to have chosen a solid plan which protects you and your family from unexpected costs. Getting sick is always a hassle and sometimes it takes more than a pot of tea and some vitamin C to get us on our feet again. When you or a family member has an illness, the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of medication. For your own benefit, keep eating those apples and know the status of your coverage! In Quebec
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In fact,
Canadians are at the top of the list when it comes to prescription drug
spending. A recent report published by Statistics Canada outlined a 71%
increase in prescription drug expenditures between 1992 and 2002, and
drug spending just keeps on rising. In 2001 Canadians were estimated to
have spent an average of 500$ per person on medication. In 2005 that number
had increased by over 250$ to a country-wide average of approximately
770$ per capita. This increase in cost can be attributed to both a rise
in the price of prescription drugs as well as the growing number of drugs
being prescribed. Whether it is antibiotics, Ritalin or pain killers,
prescription drugs are becoming extremely common and drug companies are
consistently developing improved yet more expensive drugs. This means
that it is more important than ever to protect you and your family from
such increasing costs. 
