A health ministry official says adding over four-million people to Ontario’s Drug Benefit Program is a massive undertaking, but the new system will definitely be ready to launch January 1st.
That’s when children and young adults 24-and-under will be able to get their medications at no cost.
The drug program’s Executive Officer Suzanne McGurn says over 4,400 meds will be covered, including anti-depressants, inhalers for asthma, diabetic test strips, medications for mental health conditions, antibiotics, epilepsy medicines and various insulin.
All you need is a valid prescription and your health card, and young people or parents can get eligible meds at no cost from your local pharmacy.
Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins calls it the biggest expansion of Medicare in Ontario history.
Hoskins says the government sees this as a major step towards eventual universal pharmacare for everyone in Ontario.
(Picture: Dr. Eric Hoskins)