The access to health care and medications when we need them is a huge advantage of living in Canada.
In Ontario, we are fortunate to have access to medical care, including prescriptions through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). While you have access to coverage for many different types of prescriptions, you are not covered for everything. There are certain limitations as to what is and is not covered by OHIP.
For example, OHIP does not provide coverage for prescriptions in a non-hospital setting. So, if you were prescribed antibiotics by your family doctor you would not have coverage. But, if you were given antibiotics or other medications while in the hospital, you would be covered.
The list of what is covered does change over time. What you may have been covered for in the past, may no longer be available. On the other hand, some medications you did not have coverage for in the past, may now be covered. It’s important to stay up to date on your medication status.
Keep in mind that if you have a private health plan through your employer or through a parent’s plan, you are not covered by OHIP. You will need to submit your prescriptions through the private health care plan. However, if you have a private plan but also have significant out of pocket medication costs, you can apply for financial support through the Trillium Drug Program.
A List Of Prescriptions Covered By OHIP
Keep in mind that if you have a private health plan through your employer or through a parent’s plan, you are not Ontario residents have access to a wide variety of medications for many different ailments. Here is a general list of some of the prescriptions that you currently have coverage for. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care provides this list of prescriptions that are covered:
- Antibiotics to treat infections
- Inhalers for asthma
- Various insulins, oral diabetic medications, and diabetes test strips
- Epinephrine injectable products (e.g. auto-injectors)
- Drugs to treat arthritis, epilepsy, and other chronic conditions
- Medications to treat mental health conditions (e.g. antidepressants)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs
- Drugs to treat some childhood cancers and other rare conditions
Note – this is not an exhaustive list. There are other medications that are covered that do not appear here. Speak with your doctor or pharmacists if you have questions about coverage for a specific type of drug or medication.
How To Check To See If Your Medication Is Covered
In total, there are about 5,000 different medications that are partially or almost fully covered. If you are not sure if your medication is covered, you can do an online search on Ontario.ca. Simply enter a medication name, ingredient, or Drug Identification Number (DIN) in the search box. It will tell you what type, brand, and dosage is covered.
Have more questions about your medication or how OHIP works? Speak with a pharmacist at Resident Care Pharmacy. We are happy to help you with all your medication questions. Learn More about OHIP by visiting the province of Ontario website.
