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Angus Reid Institute: As Canadians age, struggles over access to health care extend to prescription drugs

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As the federal government’s Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare calls for a universal, single-payer system for prescription drug coverage in Canada, a new report from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute – part of its ongoing series on access to and perceptions of health care among those ages 55 and older – finds a significant number of Canadians this age struggling to afford prescription medications.

The first part of this report – which focused on access to doctors and health care services – found one-in-five older Canadians (21%) facing major access issues, and a full majority having at least some trouble getting the care they need in a timely manner.

This second part of the study finds one-in-six Canadians (17%) in the 55-plus age group – a figure that represents upwards of 1.8 million people – say that they or someone else in their household have taken prescription drugs in a way other than prescribed because of cost.

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1 2019.08.09_Senior-Health-II.pdf
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  • Published

    Aug 12, 2019

  • Subject Area
    • Mental Health and Wellness
    • Safety, Security, Finances, & Personal Planning
    • Home Support
    • Food & Nutritional Support
    • Caregiving & Caregiver Support
  • Audience
    • Caregivers, Seniors & Volunteers
    • Government
    • Health Authorities
    • Funders
    • Service Providers (Non-profits, Community Organizations, Local government)
    • Academics
  • Category

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