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Wednesday, January 03, 2018
Ministry Of Health And Long-Term Care

Prescription Medications Now Free for Everyone 24 and Under

More than 4,400 prescription medications are now free for children and youth age 24 and under, as the province delivers the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation for Ontario families.

OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare launched today, to help families and young adults in Ontario get the prescriptions they need without having to worry about the cost.

All people need to do is present their Ontario health card number along with a valid prescription at an Ontario pharmacy and medicine will be provided free of charge.

Medications covered by OHIP+ include asthma inhalers, drugs to treat depression, anxiety, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antibiotics, EpiPens (epinephrine auto-injectors), insulin, diabetes test strips, oral contraceptives, medications to treat some childhood cancers and other rare conditions, and many others. People can search Ontario's new medication coverage tool to see if their drugs are covered under OHIP+.

Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

Quick Facts
  • Ontario is the first province to provide prescription medication coverage at no cost for children and youth age 24 years and under, helping more people afford the medications that they need to stay healthy.
  • OHIP+ will give young people access to more than 4,400 drug products reimbursed under the Ontario Drug Benefit program, including some of the most commonly used medications and those available through the Exceptional Access Program, if an individual qualifies, at no cost.

Additional Resources
Quotes

“We believe in helping all families receive the medication they need, at no cost, to stay healthy and strong regardless of income. OHIP+ is a bold step toward our commitment and vision of bringing universal drug coverage to all Ontarians.”
Dr. Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care


For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
ontario.ca/health-news
1-866-532-3161
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