Effect of Free Medicine Distribution on Health Care Costs in Canada Over 3 Years
Authors: Persaud Nav , Bedard Michael , Boozary Andrew , Glazier Richard H. , Gomes Tara , Hwang Stephen W. , Jüni Peter , Law Michael R. , Mamdani Muhammad , Manns Braden , Martin Danielle , Morgan Steven G. , Oh Paul , Pinto Andrew D. , Shah Baiju R. , Sullivan Frank , Umali Norman , Thorpe Kevin E. , Tu Karen , Wu Fangyun , Laupacis Andreas ,   CLEAN Meds study team, Abdel-Malek Nada , von Aesch Zoe , Al Hadi Mouafak , Anderson Kelly , Arbess Gordon , Barnes Chris , Barreca Peter , Bhandarkar Seema , Bloch Gary , Bogler Tali , Bowry Ashna , Boyd Donnavan , Bradford Marc , Browne Anne , Das Paul , Derocher MaryBeth , Dorman Katie , Doukas Kathleen , Ernst Esther , Farber Allison , Feiner Hannah , Freedmon Amy , Fulton Kari , Gaudreau Chantal , Ghavam-Rassoul Abbas , Girdhari Rajesh , Glazier Richard , Gora Irv , Gordon Kimberley , Green Laurie , Green Samantha , Guiang Charlie , Handford Curtis , Harelnikiva Maryna , Holmes Candice , Hranilovic Sue , Igar Karl , Jansz Gwen , Jeavons Emma , Jeeves Nick , Kilbertus Frances , Kim Flo , Kiran Tara , Knowles Holly , Kwok Bruce , Lakhoo Sheila , Lam-Antoniades Margarita , Leong Renata , Leung Fok-Han , Lofters Aisha , McCabe Jennifer , McDougall Lora , Mellan Joanne , Mintz Sharon , Naccarato Matthew , Nader Maya , O'Connor Kevin , Owen James , Peranson Judith , Pinto Andrew , Pop Cristina , Pyle Adam , Rackal Julia , Ramji Noor , Ramji Nasreen , Raza Danyaal , Reade Maurianne , Ridley Jane , Robinson Jean , Rouleau Katherine , Ruderman Caroline , Schiralli Vanna , Schofield Lee , Shamas Mary , Shepherd Susan , Shoucri Rami , Snajdrova Lenka , Stadnyk Andrew , Stewart Ann , Sullivan Bill , Swirsky Karen , Tepper Joshua , Turner Suzanne , Vari Barbara , Vasa Priya , Vellani Karim , Wang Tao , Watson William , Weisdorf Thea , Weiman Karen , Wijayasinghe Sheila , Wilson Jean , Windrim Patricia 
Published: May 2023

Importance

Few interventions are proven to reduce total health care costs, and addressing cost-related nonadherence has the potential to do so.

Objective

To determine the effect of eliminating out-of-pocket medication fees on total health care costs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized clinical trial using a prespecified outcome took place across 9 primary care sites in Ontario, Canada (6 in Toronto and 3 in rural areas), where health care services are generally publicly funded. Adult patients (≥18 years old) reporting cost-related nonadherence to medicines in the past 12 months were recruited between June 1, 2016, and April 28, 2017, and followed up until April 28, 2020. Data analysis was completed in 2021.

Interventions

Access to a comprehensive list of 128 medicines commonly prescribed in ambulatory care with no out-of-pocket costs for 3 years vs usual medicine access.

Main Outcome and Measures

Total publicly funded health care costs over 3 years, including costs of hospitalizations. Health care costs were determined using administrative data from Ontario’s single-payer health care system, and all costs are reported in Canadian dollars with adjustments for inflation.

Results

A total of 747 participants from 9 primary care sites were included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 51 [14] years; 421 [56.4%] female). Free medicine distribution was associated with a lower median total health care spending over 3 years of $1641 (95% CI, $454-$2792; P = .006). Mean total spending was $4465 (95% CI, −$944 to $9874) lower over the 3-year period.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, eliminating out-of-pocket medication expenses for patients with cost-related nonadherence in primary care was associated with lower health care spending over 3 years. These findings suggest that eliminating out-of-pocket medication costs for patients could reduce overall costs of health care.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02744963