The consequences of patient charges for prescription drugs in Canada: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Many Canadians face substantial out-of-pocket charges for prescription drugs. Prior work suggests that this causes some patients to not take their medications as prescribed; however, we have little understanding of whether charges for prescription medicines lead patients to forego basic needs or to use more health care services. Our study aimed to quantify the consequences of patient charges for medicines in Canada. METHODS:As part of the 2016 Canadian Community Health Survey, we designed and fielded cross-sectional questions to 28 091 Canadians regarding prescription drug affordability, consequent use of health care services and trade-offs with other expenditures. We calculated weighted population estimates and proportions, and used logistic regression to determine which patien

SUBMITTER: Law MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5878943 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature