Canadians have long been used to high drug prices in Canada. Prescription drug prices in Canada are among the highest in all of North America. Prescription drug costs account for up to 20 per cent of health-care costs for patients in Canada. In fact, many Canadian families live well below the average income level required to meet health-care expenses. The result is that an increasing number of families are falling deeper into the debt cycle, with no means to avoid it. Addressing the problem is a major policy focus for governments across the country.
Currently, most provinces in Canada require pharmacies to sell pharmaceutical drugs through prescription programs. However, provincial governments exercise their power over pricing by setting rates that aren’t consistent across the board. Generally, these policies maintain drug prices in Canada within the median amongst seven different provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The United States has no province-specific drug plan. As a result, the national average drug cost for a typical family is significantly higher in Canada than in the United States due to differences in harmonized pricing across the seven provinces.
The lack of national standardization also means that generic drugs are more expensive in Canada than in the United States. Canadian generic drug plans are designed to provide the same coverage as the corresponding drug plans sold by the Canadian provincial government. However, generic drugs are usually less effective than brand-name prescription drugs, meaning that they’re not worth the extra cost. In addition, generic drugs are not subject to the same consumer-driven price controls the respective pharmaceutical companies have implemented over the US market.
The Canadian drug pricing system is controlled by the prescribed drugs act which came into force in 1970. The following year, the Narcotic Control Act made it illegal to import or export quantities of listed substances. This followed a series of increasing complaints from doctors who felt that the restricted list of prescription drugs was frequently being abused by the medical profession. This act has been deemed necessary by the Canadian government as a tool to protect the health of Canadian citizens.
The act also established a National Drug Establishment Strategy, known as the National Contraband Pricing Structure, which is very helpful. Part of this strategy is the establishment of separate window system to track national production and distribution of drugs. The NCCDS collects data on prices paid by Canadian manufacturers for patented pharmaceutical products, including generic versions of these products. The prescribed drugs act also established separate window system to track local production and distribution, including the prices charged by pharmacies to suppliers of medical supplies in Canada. The NCCDS maintains records for both prices and quantities sold across the country.
Prices are generally determined by the manufacturer, rather than on the basis of medical necessity. Since the creation of the NCCDS, there have been many changes to the application of the guidelines. The process used by the NCCDS has been criticized by some as being too lax in some instances. It is important to note that in spite of criticism, the NCCDS remains a vital source of information to help keep Canadian drug prices down. While this may seem difficult, it is crucial to the health of Canadians.
Canada’s national pharmacies are authorized to sell and supply all products required by the Canadian government, including over-the-counter medicines and drugs manufactured and supplied by pharmaceutical companies outside of Canada. If you are going to purchase prescription medication in Canada, you will need to fill out an application. This application will be managed by your local pharmacy, and you will be notified of any available discounts. It is also important to note that if your pharmacist does not accept all products, you can request a mail-in rebate.
Once you have filled out your application and obtained approval for your prescription, you will then proceed to obtain and print out your medication reminder. This reminder will contain all of your drug information, including name, identification number, prescription type, brand, pharmacy location, contact person, pharmacy name, pharmacy date, refill information, pharmacist’s phone number, physician’s name, physician’s address, etc. These important documents are important for your peace of mind, and you should always keep them handy when traveling abroad. It is important to ensure that you maintain all of these important documents while traveling outside of Canada, as it will help reduce your chances of having to pay for exorbitant drug prices upon exiting the country. Also, it is recommended to obtain copies of your immunization records before leaving, as you will need them to complete your necessary health screening upon entering the country.