New data reveals a surge in demand for obesity, diabetes, and mental health medications in Canada
A GreenShield’s 2024 Drug Trends report highlights that Canadians face increasingly complex health conditions, intensifying the demand for accessible medications.
According to the report, total drug costs rose by $300m in 2023, underscoring the role of affordable and comprehensive prescription drug plans to meet Canadians' evolving health needs.
The annual report, produced by GreenShield, Canada’s only national non-profit health and benefits organization, is informed by over 34 million drug claims processed from more than two million claimants in 2023.
GreenShield’s executive vice president, Mark Rolnick, commented that the report reflects emerging health challenges, including increased drug usage and costs.
Rolnick emphasized that GreenShield is committed to enhancing health outcomes by expanding access to holistic coverage and care, while adapting and innovating to fulfill its mission of Better Health for All.
Key findings from the 2024 Drug Trends Report reveal substantial increases in drug costs and usage patterns.
Total drug costs for GreenShield’s customers reached $2.5bn in 2023, a $300m increase from the previous year, with the cost per claimant rising by $18.
Specialty drugs accounted for $700m, up from $630m in 2022. Over five years, total drug costs rose by more than 66 percent, while the number of claimants grew by approximately 24 percent.
The report also shows a surge in claims for obesity medications, with a 43 percent increase in 2023 over the prior year. The cost and use of these drugs are expected to continue growing in the years ahead.
Diabetes medication costs saw double-digit increases, with a 13 percent rise in costs and a 16 percent increase in claims. Diabetes drugs made up 9 percent of total drug costs in 2023, while the number of Canadians with diabetes is projected to grow from 15 percent to 17 percent by 2033.
Mental health diagnoses and medication use are also on the rise. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, GreenShield recorded a 132 percent increase in mental health claims and a 50 percent rise in claimants seeking mental health-related medications.
Depression and anxiety medications were the second most commonly claimed drug expenses in 2023, with infection-related claims topping the list.
The cost for ADHD medications in the $500-$999 range increased by 24 percent in 2023, while the number of ADHD claimants grew by 20 percent.
Pharmacists are taking on a growing role in prescription initiation, with prescriptions by pharmacists rising by 140 percent since 2019, reaching 6 percent of all prescriptions in 2023.
In Quebec, where pharmacists have an expanded scope, this rate was 9 percent. Pharmacists tended to prescribe lower-cost medications, particularly for chronic conditions like diabetes, with these prescriptions costing 28 percent less than those initiated by doctors.
GreenShield's findings reflect the significant shifts occurring in Canada’s healthcare landscape, driven by a rising prevalence of chronic health conditions. Managing chronic disease increasingly requires a holistic approach, yet medications remain central to many treatment plans.
In an effort to close gaps in drug coverage, GreenShield has long believed that all Canadians should have affordable access to prescription drug coverage. As a non-profit, the organization reinvests its earnings to advance health equity, particularly for underserved Canadians.
In 2023, GreenShield introduced GreenShield Cares’ Essential Medicines program, offering free prescription medications to eligible Ontarians without public or private drug coverage. This initiative recently expanded to Nova Scotia, with plans to extend to other provinces next year.
According to the press release, GreenShield envisions a future where all Canadians can achieve optimal health and well-being.
