Indicator Metadata

Name

Percentage of Prescribed Drug Spending Financed by Public Sector

Short/Other Names

Not applicable

Description

The indicator measures the share of prescribed drug spending financed by the public sector.

Interpretation

The higher the result, the larger the share of total prescribed drug spending financed by the public sector.

HSP Framework Dimension

Health System Inputs and Characteristics: Health system resources

Areas of Need

Not applicable

Geographic Coverage

All provinces/territories

Reporting Level/Disaggregation

National, Province/Territory

Indicator Results

https://www.cihi.ca/en/national-health-expenditure-trends-1975-to-2019

Identifying Information
Name

Percentage of Prescribed Drug Spending Financed by Public Sector

Short/Other Names

Not applicable

Indicator Description and Calculation
Description

The indicator measures the share of prescribed drug spending financed by the public sector.

Calculation: Description

The indicator is calculated by dividing public-sector prescribed drug spending by total prescribed drug spending.

Calculation: Geographic Assignment

Place of service

Calculation: Type of Measurement

Percentage or proportion

Calculation: Adjustment Applied

None

Calculation: Method of Adjustment

Not applicable

Denominator

Description:
Total prescribed drug spending
Inclusions:

  1. Substances considered to be drugs under the Food and Drugs Act that are sold for human use as the result of a prescription from a health professional
  2. Dispensing fees, markups and appropriate taxes

Exclusions:

  1. Therapeutic drug products not requiring a prescription
  2. Personal health supplies
  3. Drugs dispensed in hospital and, generally, in other institutions
Numerator

Description:
Prescribed drug spending financed by the public sector
Inclusions:

  1. Substances considered to be drugs under the Food and Drugs Act that are sold for human use as the result of a prescription from a health professional and that are financed by the public sector
  2. Dispensing fees, markups and appropriate taxes

Exclusions:

  1. Substances considered to be drugs under the Food and Drugs Act that are sold for human use as the result of a prescription from a health professional and that are financed by the private sector
  2. Therapeutic drug products not requiring a prescription
  3. Personal health supplies
  4. Drugs dispensed in hospital and, generally, in other institutions
Background, Interpretation and Benchmarks
Rationale The indicator provides information on how much is spent on public sector–financed prescribed drugs in Canada. Factors influencing the indicator results are the prescribed drug spending financed by the public sector and total prescribed drug spending in Canada.
Interpretation The higher the result, the larger the share of total prescribed drug spending financed by the public sector.
HSP Framework Dimension Health System Inputs and Characteristics: Health system resources
Areas of Need Not applicable
Targets/Benchmarks Not applicable
References Not applicable
Availability of Data Sources and Results
Data Sources NHEX
Available Data Years Type of Year:
Calendar
First Available Year:
1975
Last Available Year:
2019
Geographic Coverage All provinces/territories
Reporting Level/Disaggregation National, Province/Territory
Result Updates
Update Frequency Every year
Indicator Results Web Tool:
National Health Expenditures Trends
URL: https://www.cihi.ca/en/national-health-expenditure-trends-1975-to-2019
Updates Not applicable
Quality Statement
Caveats and Limitations Data contained in the National Health Expenditure Database is estimated. The data is collected from diverse sources and includes varying classes of financial information. The data is collected and classified according to methods established by a review committee. CIHI's analysts and external experts continue to improve the comprehensiveness, accuracy and currency of the data to provide the most complete and objective estimates possible. Notwithstanding this, national health expenditure data is estimated and should be used accordingly.
Trending Issues In the process of compiling the national health expenditure series from year to year, new information becomes available, methods and concepts are refined and data sources are improved. The data is revised to reflect these enhancements.
Comments Not applicable