Pharmaceutical care

Prescribed drugs, including safe and effective medicines and vaccines, are used to treat, prevent and lessen the impact of ailments and conditions.

CIHI collects data and information on the use, cost and safety of prescribed drugs in Canada. Public drug claims data is collected through claims accepted by publicly funded drug programs, either for reimbursement or to be applied toward a deductible. In some jurisdictions, data is collected on all drugs dispensed in community pharmacies, regardless of payer. Data on drugs dispensed in hospitals or those funded through cancer agencies and other special programs is not currently captured.

CIHI also collects information on drug safety related to potential and actual medication/IV fluid incidents. Explore information on pharmaceutical care, including reports, data tables and other key resources.

Featured material

Pharmaceutical Data Tool

Tool
March 28, 2024

The Pharmaceutical Data Tool enhances access to key pharmaceutical information for analytical and policy needs by providing details about public drug programs and formularies.

Prescribed drug spending in Canada, 2023

Release summary
November 2, 2023

Take an in-depth look at prescribed drug spending in Canada in 2022 and learn about how different drug classes contribute to current trends in total public drug program spending.

Overuse of tests and treatments in Canada

Release summary
November 10, 2022

Expanding on our 2017 report, this follow-up from CIHI and Choosing Wisely Canada examines progress on overuse of 12 tests and treatments and provides insights for continued improvements.

Trends in public drug program spending in Canada

Report
November 3, 2022

Highlights of public drug program spending in Canada in 2021, including top drug classes, spending on high-cost drugs and spending on biologic drugs.

Changes in drug prescribing to seniors in Canada

Report
October 20, 2022

Results (2017 to 2021) on the total number and types of drugs most commonly prescribed to seniors in Canada, plus a summary of key findings, including changes in prescribing due to COVID-19.