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Prescription Medication Costs

Prescription Medication Costs

Old Mar 31st 2021, 12:02 pm
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Default Prescription Medication Costs

Hi Folks,

Thanks to all that have replied to my previous post and I am hoping I can get a similar response to this one.
I am on certain prescribed medications and need to take them indefinitely and whilst in the UK I have benefited from an annual Pre-Pay Prescription certificate I don't but I don't know what ($) I will be up against in Ontario or if a similar scheme exists out there? And also I need to understand how much medication is typically issued per repeat Px (in the UK it's 3 months).

Basically I want to get an indication of how much spend to expect.

I do have PR status and hope find employment that provides some level of private cover however I know this will take some time.

Many Thanks

Last edited by dogstar; Mar 31st 2021 at 12:08 pm. Reason: typo
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Old Mar 31st 2021, 4:59 pm
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Originally Posted by dogstar
Hi Folks,
Hi


Thanks to all that have replied to my previous post and I am hoping I can get a similar response to this one.
I am on certain prescribed medications and need to take them indefinitely and whilst in the UK I have benefited from an annual Pre-Pay Prescription certificate I don't but I don't know what ($) I will be up against in Ontario or if a similar scheme exists out there? And also I need to understand how much medication is typically issued per repeat Px (in the UK it's 3 months).

Basically I want to get an indication of how much spend to expect.

I do have PR status and hope find employment that provides some level of private cover however I know this will take some time.

Many Thanks
1. Try the following web site for blue cross pricing. https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/pharmacycompass
2. Depends on your physician. The prescription is usually issued with a validity of 6-12 months. You can get a 90 day supply at a time.
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 6:33 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Thanks PMM but it seems the website is for BC whilst I will be in Ontario.

I'll see if an equivalent exists.

Can I deduce from this that prices for medication vary between pharmacies in a Province as in the UK we have a standard prescription charge regardless of pharmacy?

Last edited by dogstar; Apr 1st 2021 at 6:38 am.
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 8:00 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Originally Posted by dogstar
Thanks PMM but it seems the website is for BC whilst I will be in Ontario.

I'll see if an equivalent exists.

Can I deduce from this that prices for medication vary between pharmacies in a Province as in the UK we have a standard prescription charge regardless of pharmacy?
In Canada you pay for prescription medicine as it's not generally covered by provincial healthcare, unlike in the UK where it's heavily subsidised by the NHS. You may find any employment benefits you have will include some kind of healthcare cover that may help though.
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 11:06 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Thanks christmasoompa .

I'm presuming the $ is dependent on the type of medication?

Thanks
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 11:12 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Originally Posted by dogstar
Thanks christmasoompa .

I'm presuming the $ is dependent on the type of medication?

Thanks
Yep, it's not a standard fee across the board like in the UK, you'll just pay the retail price for it. Have seen mention on the forum for it being as cheap as just a few dollars for things like insulin strips, to a small fortune for more specialist stuff, so definitely worth checking out so you can get an idea of costs.

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Old Apr 1st 2021, 11:13 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

christmasoompa K
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 12:10 pm
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Originally Posted by dogstar
Thanks christmasoompa .

I'm presuming the $ is dependent on the type of medication?

Thanks
You said on another thread that your wife has a position in Toronto, it would be worth finding out if that comes with family benefits. You don't want to be buying drugs in Ontario if you can avoid it.

It is, btw, snowing here. Is rethinking the whole thing out of the question?
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 1:56 pm
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Thanks dbd33 for your feedback and I'll ask wife if the benefits extend to the family as over here they can do so that may well prove to be useful.

Being candid with you I have in recent months I have been questioning certain aspects across both sides of the pond and whilst thus far nothing has dissuaded us from changing course the more and more I understand the devil in the detail I am getting more anxious. I'd love to say I'm not bothered by the snow but having married someone from Alberta I know it will be a madness for someone like me to trade 4 seasons for essentially 2.! Also, thinking about our children and the kind of opportunities we want for them in their lives is a big factor in all of this as the UK despite it's "exceptionalism" is not the place it once was and whilst there are pros/cons in any country along with the accompanying crap we have to contend with I do sense that this could be a good move. If not for me but for the kids certainly. I've got X less years to live now whilst they have many many more countless things to look forward to:-)
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 6:10 pm
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Most Extended health plans offered by employers come with a family coverage option. So mine covers the wife and kids.
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Old Apr 1st 2021, 7:53 pm
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Originally Posted by dogstar
Thanks dbd33 for your feedback and I'll ask wife if the benefits extend to the family as over here they can do so that may well prove to be useful.

Being candid with you I have in recent months I have been questioning certain aspects across both sides of the pond and whilst thus far nothing has dissuaded us from changing course the more and more I understand the devil in the detail I am getting more anxious. I'd love to say I'm not bothered by the snow but having married someone from Alberta I know it will be a madness for someone like me to trade 4 seasons for essentially 2.! Also, thinking about our children and the kind of opportunities we want for them in their lives is a big factor in all of this as the UK despite it's "exceptionalism" is not the place it once was and whilst there are pros/cons in any country along with the accompanying crap we have to contend with I do sense that this could be a good move. If not for me but for the kids certainly. I've got X less years to live now whilst they have many many more countless things to look forward to:-)

On children, I have two thoughts:

- mine had opportunities resulting from being in Canada that I don't think they would have had in the UK
- get everything dental done for all of you before moving, benefit package or no benefit package

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Old Apr 2nd 2021, 2:16 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

Every pharmacy charges a Pharmacy (prescription) fee on top of the cost of the medication. That price can also vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, it is not standard.
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Old Apr 2nd 2021, 7:21 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

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Old Apr 2nd 2021, 7:21 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

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Old Apr 2nd 2021, 7:26 am
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Default Re: Prescription Medication Costs

dbd33 Yes I think that kids certainly will benefit and that's a win for sure 100% and we will make sure the teeth are in order before we depart. It's funny as my wife has always had a healthy disdain for the general state of the teeth of the UK population Let's hope the fluoride out there benefits us all!
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