Prescription Drug Abuse in Canada

Canada is second to the United States for its misuse of prescription drugs. It has been estimated that over 350,000 Canadian kids have taken pharmaceutical drugs that were not prescribed to them by a doctor. A recent Ontario report revealed that the number of opioid-related deaths soared by 242 per cent between 1991 and 2010. Opioids are in the group of medicinal drugs that contain opium (or an opium-like substance) that is usually prescribed by physicians for pain relief. 

Prescription Drugs

Because of the issues associated with prescription drug abuse in Canada, federal health minister Rona Ambrose announced that Health Canada will be imposing more descriptive warnings on labels for controlled-released prescription narcotics.  It wants to modify such labels that display “for moderate pain” to labels that clarify that these types of drugs are to be used “for severe pain”.

Ambrose was quoted as saying that prescription drug abuse is “a major public health and safety concern” for many Canadians and remarked that this country is second only to the United States for its per capita consumption of prescription opioids.

What Can We Do?

One practical and reassuring way to restrain prescription drug abuse in our own homes would be to return unused portions to drug stores. Canada’s National Drug Take Back Campaign has partnered with Shopper’s Drug Mart and Pharmaprix to help tackle this issue.

Find a drug store near you and participate in this positive campaign. Remove all leftover pain medications from your medicine cabinet and help reduce the misuse of prescription drugs in Canada.

Rising Cost Concerns for Prescription Drugs

While health care issues such as the rising costs of hospital and physician services are at the forefront, there are other medical expenses that are not getting the attention they should. As it stands, Canadians pay some of the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world. And now there are new high-end drugs entering the market that will make it even more worrisome for those without private health care plans.  The provincial governments absorb most or all drug costs for seniors and those who are on social assistance, but the average household with an income of less than $30,000 will definitely feel the weight of price increases on drugs.

 

Presently, the provinces are working together through the Council of the Federation on brand drug and generic drug price reform. Private Canadian insurers have been involved in creating a national drug pooling agreement that would offer some protection to insured members of their drug plans from the negative impact of recurring high-cost prescription drugs.

Visit the CAA Health & Dental website for information on health insurance that offers prescription drug coverage options.