Are common prescription medications available in Canada?

When we asked expats in Canada if common prescription medications are available in Canada, they wrote...

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Canada. These medications are typically dispensed by a pharmacist and require a prescription from a doctor or other healthcare professional. Common prescription medications include antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. In addition, many over-the-counter medications are also available in Canada," wrote a member who made the move to Canada.

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"Again, if you do not have a health card, everything is out of pocket and very expensive. There is no maintenance type of insurance you can buy. Only travel and emergency in other words, if you are retired, Canada does not want you. Only marriage to a Canadian would make things easier, but for the majority of retires, this is not an option," explained one expat living in Halifax, Canada.

Are common prescription medications available in Canada?

If you live in Canada, newcomers to Canada would love to hear your answer to this question:

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.