Bridging the essential medicines gap
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 GreenShield Cares’ essential medicines program helps bridge this accessibility divide, ensuring individuals never go without the medication they need.
From single parents working multiple jobs to keep their family afloat to early retirees, working part-time, with no dependent coverage, many Canadians earn just enough to be ineligible for the social assistance programs that would give them access to provincial prescription drug coverage, but not enough to 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 essential medicines should never be a barrier to good health. This GreenShield Cares program provides essential medications to Ontarians that are ineligible for an Ontario public drug program and without private insurance, free of charge.
Who this program helps
The gig worker
Vanessa is a 31-year-old, resilient single mother who balances multiple jobs to keep her family afloat but doesn’t have any group benefits coverage.2 Despite her long working hours, she falls into the income gap, earning just enough to be ineligible for social assistance programs that provide prescription drug coverage.
The young adult aged out of provincial coverage
As a youth, the provincial health care plan covered Omar’s prescription medication.2 Now that he is 25, he is no longer eligible for this coverage. Though he earns a modest paycheque, the cost of his medications is now a significant expense that adds to his financial and mental strain.
The early retiree on a fixed income
Kim, a 62-year-old retired woman, working part-time, lost her dependent health care coverage after her partner’s passing.2 Paying for her prescription medications out of her own pocket is challenging and leaves little room for unexpected costs.
It's in our DNA to find a better way
Essential medicines are drugs that meet the priority healthcare needs of a population and are selected based on evidence for clinical efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
GreenShield Cares’ essential medicines program provides eligible patients coverage of up to $1,000* for drugs 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 the results of research affiliated with St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto**. These medications will be dispensed and delivered by GreenShield Health's digital pharmacy, The Health Depot.
GreenShield was founded on the belief that all Canadians deserve the opportunities that better health unlocks. As a not-for-profit health and benefits company, giving back isn’t what we do, it’s who we are. We are helping to bridge the essential medicines gap through GreenShield Cares, reinvesting our earnings and self-funding the deployment of our wholly owned health services to support underserved and marginalized 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 GreenShield Cares’ essential medicine program works alongside public provincial prescription drug programs and private drug plans to ensure everyone is provided access to the drugs they require.
To be eligible, individuals must be:
- A resident of Ontario
- Currently employed
- Aged 25 to 64
- Have an income below Statistics Canada Low-Income Measure (LIM)
- Require prescription medications to treat a diagnosed medical condition
- Not enrolled in any private or employee drug plan
- Not enrolled in an Ontario public drug program, with the exception of the Trillium Drug Program
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 1-888-348-5188
No out-of-pocket costs.
No co-pays or deductibles.
Free delivery of medications.
We are championing better health for all by bridging the gap on 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 enrolment date. This includes the cost of medication and dispensing fees.
4 UnityHealth, CLEAN Meds Study