GreenShield Cares about essential medicines
Access to essential medicines is a fundamental human right.
While over 97 per cent of Canadians have some form of drug coverage, one million Canadians do not.1 The GreenShield Cares Essential Medicines program, which launched in Ontario and recently expanded to Nova Scotia and Alberta, helps bridge this accessibility divide ensuring individuals never go without the medicines they need.
Our Essential Medicines program by the numbers
120+
Community partners
Our partners are crucial in improving health outcomes and providing support to underserved communities.
6,300+
Prescriptions filled
Thanks to GreenShield Pharmacy, participants’ medications are delivered directly to their doorstep at no cost.
5,300+
Lives positively impacted
By reducing prescription expenses, program participants can focus on meeting other basic needs.
How our program helps
From single parents working multiple jobs to keep their family afloat to freelancers working from contract to contract, many Canadians can’t afford vital medications to maintain their health. As a result, these individuals often must choose between paying for their prescription medication or meeting their basic needs, which could lead to poor long-term health outcomes and a lower quality of life.
The inability to afford medicines essential for good health should never be a barrier. The GreenShield Cares Essential Medicines program provides prescription medication free of charge to individuals living without private prescription drug coverage, or who are unable to access benefits from a provincial drug program.
GreenShield is focused on increasing access to care
Here’s how we’re improving health outcomes for Canadians
Essential medicines program launch
Press release: GreenShield launches a first-of-its-kind program to provide essential medications.
Prescription drug coverage in Nova Scotia
Our program helps Nova Scotians access vital medicines.
Prescription drug coverage in Ontario
Find out if our free Essential Medicines program is right for you.
It's in our DNA to find a better way
How does GreenShield’s Essential Medicines program work?
Essential medicines are drugs that meet the priority health care needs of a population and are selected based on evidence for clinical efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
GreenShield’s Essential Medicines program provides up to $1,0003 of prescription drug coverage to eligible patients for 12 months from enrolment date towards eligible medications included in GreenShield’s approved essential medicines list. Developed by members of GreenShield’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, this list is informed by the World Health Organization’s model list of essential medicines and with the results of research affiliated with St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto4. Eligible medications are dispensed and delivered free of charge by GreenShield Pharmacy.
Why did GreenShield develop this program?
GreenShield was founded on the belief that all Canadians deserve the opportunities that better health unlocks. As Canada’s only national non-profit health and benefits company, giving back isn’t what we do, it’s who we are. We’re helping to bridge the essential medicines gap by reinvesting our earnings and redeploying our health services to support underserved and equity-seeking communities.
While 97 per cent of Canadians have some form of coverage for essential medicines, one million Canadians do not have prescription drug coverage.1
Who is eligible for this program?
To be eligible, individuals must meet the following criteria:
Ontario:
- Resident of Ontario
- Currently employed
- Aged 25 to 64
- Have a household net income below the program threshold5
- Not enrolled in a private or employee prescription drug plan, regardless of the level of coverage available
- Not enrolled in, or currently participating in a provincial drug program6
Nova Scotia:
- Resident of Nova Scotia
- Currently employed
- Aged 18 to 64
- Have a household net income below the program threshold5
- Not enrolled in a private or employee prescription drug plan, regardless of the level of coverage available
- Not enrolled in, or currently participating in a provincial drug program6
Alberta:
- Resident of Alberta
- Currently employed
- Aged 18 to 64
- Have a household net income below the program threshold5
- Not enrolled in a private or employee prescription drug plan, regardless of the level of coverage available
- Not enrolled in, or currently participating in a provincial drug program6
How do I apply?
You can apply via the links below or download the application for Ontario, Nova Scotia or Alberta and submit your application form to our program Specialist via email: essentialmedicines@greenshield.ca
Questions? Please contact our Essential Medicines program Specialist between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Phone: 519-739-1208 or toll-free at 1-888-348-5188
Email: essentialmedicines@greenshield.ca
Essential Medicines program application
Select a province to begin the application process.
No out-of-pocket costs.
No copays or deductibles.
Free delivery of medications.
We are championing Better Health for All by bridging the gap in access to essential medicines.
1 The Conference Board of Canada, Understanding the Gap 2.0
2 Details have been changed to protect privacy.
3 Eligible benefits are limited to a maximum of $1,000 per 12 months from the enrolment date with the option to reapply. This includes the cost of medication and dispensing fees.
4 UnityHealth, CLEAN Meds Study
5 Net income criteria amounts are subject to change. Please contact the program Specialist for information about current total household net income threshold information.
6 Individuals who are eligible for the Ontario Trillium Drug Program, Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare, or Alberta Non-Group Coverage and want to learn more about the Essential Medicines program are encouraged to contact GreenShield Pharmacy or the program Specialist.