Signature Initiative
Essential medicines
William Wilkinson founded GreenShield to support Canadians who couldn’t afford the medications they needed, believing that access to essential medicines is a fundamental human right. To this day, we continue to champion Better Health for All by closing the gap on essential medicine access.
Currently, more than one million Canadians don’t have prescription drug coverage.¹ This forces those without coverage into an impossible dilemma — choosing between their health and necessities like keeping the lights on. Whether they are single parents working multiple jobs to keep their family afloat or freelancers working from contract to contract without access to public or private benefits, these individuals often must choose between paying for their prescription medication or meeting their basic needs. This reality drives our commitment to healthcare access and affordability, ensuring no Canadian is left behind.
To address these critical gaps in the healthcare system, we launched the GreenShield Cares Essential Medicines program in 2023 in Ontario. This first-of-its-kind initiative seamlessly integrates into public and private drug plans, provides participants up to $1,000 annually in coverage for essential medicines (based on a formulary informed by the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines) that are dispensed and delivered at no cost directly through GreenShield’s pharmacy. Following the program’s success in Ontario, we expanded to Nova Scotia in 2024, with plans to launch in Alberta and British Columbia 2025.
The impact of the Essential Medicines program goes well beyond those we serve directly. As a purpose-driven non-profit, we support the advent of universal medication coverage through a ‘fill-the-gaps’ model that does not shift the funding burden to taxpayers or limit drug access for those with employer-sponsored plans. Our Essential Medicines program can be a blueprint for Canada’s national pharmacare plan, proving that scalable, sustainable solutions are possible. For GreenShield, this isn’t just about expanding coverage — it’s about reshaping the future of healthcare to ensure every Canadian has access to the medicines they need.
Our program goes beyond prescribing medicines — we build relationships. I love connecting with patients, listening to their stories, and tailoring solutions to their needs. Whether it’s a medication review, minor ailment prescribing, navigating a financial assistance plan, or having a reassuring conversation, I feel privileged to help improve their quality of life. I’ve had patients who couldn’t afford their prescriptions and were on the brink of losing hope. Seeing them regain control over their health and knowing I’ve played a small part in their journey inspires me daily.
how we support the communities we serve
a dose of dignity
One million Canadians don’t have access to vital medications but rely on them to stay healthy. Nina Begg, a 54-year-old mother of four, is one of them. This is her story.
Read Nina's story
learn about Our Other Initiatives
MENTAL
HEALTH
HEALTH
We design culturally appropriate mental health services and resources that reflect the diverse identities of Canadians.
ORAL
HEALTH
HEALTH
Over the past decade, we’ve played a critical role in filling the gaps in access to oral health care for equity-seeking Canadians.
CHRONIC DISEASE
Designed to adapt to the complexity of people’s lives, our program makes it easier to navigate health challenges.
*Footnotes
1 The Conference Board of Canada, Understanding the Gap 2.0
1 The Conference Board of Canada, Understanding the Gap 2.0