Alberta government to increase prescription costs for seniors for first time in 31 years

CBC

9 hours ago

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For the first time in more than three decades, the Alberta government is raising prescription costs for some seniors and Albertans under non-group coverage.
Beginning July 1, the maximum co-payment per prescription will gradually increase by $10 over 10 months, from $25 to $35 at a rate of $1 per month. The increase will be fully implemented by April 1, 2026.
It's the first time the cost has increased since 1994.
Alberta seniors face rising drug prescription costs
2 days ago
Duration 2:32
The province is raising out-of-pocket prescription costs for seniors and Albertans under non-group coverage by $10. According to the government, the hike is necessary to keep pace with a seven per cent annual increase in funding for these programs.
The province says the hike is necessary to keep pace with rising costs, with the cost of providing coverage for seniors and those in the non-group program increasing by about seven per cent annually. The majority of Alberta seniors will still pay less than seniors in most other provinces, the province said.
But for seniors like Marilyn Wieler, 83, the added expense represents more than a minor adjustment.
"It's a hardship, people weren't prepared for this. And why the seniors?" Said Wieler, a volunteer at the Mill Woods Seniors and Multicultural Centre.
"We're on a limited income. Nobody's giving us extra money, and now they hit us with this.
"When you really need it a lot of people can't afford it. That's really unjust."
Alberta's non-group coverage provides prescription drug insurance to residents under 65 who aren't covered by an employer or private plan.
If the co-payments increased at the same rate of inflation, seniors would be paying $48, according to the government.
"The cost to provide this coverage is rising significantly due to factors such as increasing drug prices, population growth, and an aging population. To maintain the long-term sustainability of these programs and keep medications accessible, an increase to the maximum co-payment for seniors is necessary," said the office of the minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services in a statement to CBC.
Change adds stress, advocates say
Currently, there are about 760,000 Albertans aged 65 and older that have senior drug coverage, though only about five per cent pay the maximum co-payment, the province said. Among the roughly 75,000 Albertans with non-group coverage, about 18 per cent hit the maximum.
Low-income seniors can apply for assistance through the province's special needs assistance for seniors program, the province said.
Still, advocates and seniors say the change adds stress, especially for those managing multiple prescriptions.
"We know that means some people won't access the medications they need. They'll end up sicker, they'll end up in our hospital system and it'll cost us more. That's the story of drugs," said Chris Gallaway, the executive director at Friends of Medicare.
"Affordability is a big concern for seniors and everyone, but especially seniors on a fixed income. And by doing something like this, we know it means people won't be able to access the drugs they need. And it means that Albertans will be paying more and more out of pocket for healthcare that should be covered," he said.
Rosemary Anderson, another senior at the Millwoods Centre, said she worries about the impact on low-income people.
"You choose not to take your diabetic, you choose not to take your blood pressure because you can't afford it"
"For wealthy people, $10 is nothing a month, but for a lot of people it is."
The cost of administering the seniors and non-group drug programs in 2023-24 was around $1.3 billion. That figure is projected to rise by $194 million to approximately $1.494 billion by 2026-27.
The number of seniors in Alberta is expected to nearly double to 1.4 million by 2051.
In a statement, Sarah Hoffman, the Opposition health critic, criticized the move.
"Because this increase is per prescription, more seniors will be forced into making a choice – medicine or food, or rent, or insurance, or utilities bills, all of which have increased in cost due to this incompetent and cruel UCP government," Hoffman said.
"In the end senior's health will suffer, they will need more care because they can't afford medication, and the added strain on the entire health-care system will impact all Albertans."