Two-thirds (64 per cent) of plan members reported taking at least one prescription medication on a regular basis, up from 58 per cent last year, according to the 2026 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey.

One in four (24 per cent) said they take at least three and 15 per cent take four or more medications. Taking four or more prescription drugs was more common among plan members in poor or very poor overall health (41 per cent) and physical health (29 per cent), respondents aged 55 and over (27 per cent), heavy users of mental-health benefits (27 per cent) and those who suffer from chronic pain or have suffered a major injury in the last 12 months (24 per cent).

Read: Diabetes medications remain leading drug category for eligible claims in 2023: report

“With weight-loss drugs, diabetes drugs and mental-health medication, we see they’re often used in isolation — and even people who don’t want to use them in isolation often do, because they struggle to navigate the system or can’t find the right services,” said Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and product director for drug benefits at Desjardins Insurance and an advisory board member, in the report.

“Drugs are essential, but they’re just not enough.........

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