Effect of free medicine distribution on health care costs in Canada

JAMA Health Forum

Peer-Reviewed Publication

JAMA NETWORK

About The Study: In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of primary care patients in Ontario, Canada, eliminating out-of-pocket medication expenses for patients with cost-related nonadherence in primary care was associated with lower health care spending over three years. These findings suggest that eliminating out-of-pocket medication costs for patients could reduce overall costs of health care. 

Question  What is the effect of eliminating out-of-pocket medication costs on total health care costs?

Findings  In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of 786 primary care patients in Ontario, Canada, eliminating out-of-pocket medication costs was associated with lower reduced total health spending by a median of $1641 and a mean of $4465 over 3 years.

Meaning  These findings suggest that eliminating out-of-pocket medication costs for patients could reduce overall costs of health care.

Authors: Nav Persaud, M.D., of the University of Toronto, is the corresponding author.

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(doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.1127)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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About JAMA Health Forum: JAMA Health Forum is an international, peer-reviewed, online, open access journal that addresses health policy and strategies affecting medicine, health and health care. The journal publishes original research, evidence-based reports and opinion about national and global health policy; innovative approaches to health care delivery; and health care economics, access, quality, safety, equity and reform. Its distribution will be solely digital and all content will be freely available for anyone to read.

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JAMA Health Forum