What is OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare?
Beginning January 1, 2018, the province will provide free prescription drug coverage for children and youth aged 24 and under, regardless of family income.
Under OHIP+, over four million Ontario children and youth will have access to over 4,400 medications and other drug products. This will help many families access medications their children need to stay healthy at no cost – no co-payment or annual deductible.
Enrollment in OHIP+ will be automatic, based on age. There are no upfront costs for eligible medications. Those who are eligible for OHIP+ will only need their health card number and a valid prescription from their doctor or nurse practitioner when they visit their pharmacist.
What drugs will be covered?
OHIP+ will cover all drugs currently covered through the Ontario Drug Benefit program. This includes more than 4,400 drug products listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index. Additional drugs are also eligible for funding through the Exceptional Access Program.
Examples of common drug products used by children and youth, age 24 and under that will be covered by OHIP+ include:
- Antibiotics to treat infections
- Inhalers for asthma
- Various insulins, oral diabetic medications and diabetes test strips
- Antidepressants
- Epilepsy drugs
- Medications to treat mental health conditions
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs
