Children's Prescription Costs in Canada: Coverage Guide

The Cost of Kids' Prescriptions in Canada

Canadian families with children spend an average of $400–$800 per year on prescription medications, depending on the province, the number of children, and whether they have private insurance. The good news is that most provinces now offer some form of free or subsidized drug coverage for children — but navigating these programs can be confusing.

Provincial Programs for Children

Ontario — OHIP+

Ontario's OHIP+ program provides free prescription drug coverage for all children and youth under 25 who do not have private insurance. Over 4,400 drug products are covered, including antibiotics, asthma inhalers, ADHD medications, and more. There are no co-pays and no deductibles.

If your child has private insurance through a parent's employer, that plan is billed first. OHIP+ covers anything the private plan does not.

British Columbia — Fair PharmaCare

BC does not have a standalone children's program, but children are covered under the family's Fair PharmaCare plan. The family deductible is based on household income, and children's prescriptions count toward that deductible.

Alberta — Child Health Benefit

Alberta's Child Health Benefit covers prescription drugs for children in families receiving the Alberta Child and Family Benefit. Families must apply and meet income thresholds.

Quebec — RAMQ

All Quebec children are covered under a parent's drug insurance plan, either private or through RAMQ. RAMQ charges the parent's standard premium and co-insurance rates.

Common Children's Medications and Costs

EpiPen Costs: A Special Concern

EpiPens remain one of the most expensive and essential medications for families. The EpiPen Jr (for children 15–30 kg) costs $120–$150 per auto-injector, and children typically need two on hand at all times.

How to Save on EpiPens

• Check provincial coverage. Ontario covers EpiPens through OHIP+ for children under 25.
• Ask about Allerject, a Canadian-made alternative priced similarly but sometimes covered differently.
• Check expiry-date programs. Some pharmacies offer replacement programs.
• Compare prices on TransparentMedz — prices vary significantly between pharmacies.

How to Maximize Your Savings

Enrol in your provincial program. Many families do not realize they qualify for free or subsidized coverage.

Ask for generics. Children's amoxicillin costs 40% less in generic form.

Coordinate benefits. If both parents have employer insurance, coordinate plans so the child is covered under both — the combination often covers 100%.

Use TransparentMedz to compare pharmacy prices before filling, especially for non-covered medications.

Buy OTC medications in bulk. Children's acetaminophen and ibuprofen are cheaper in larger bottles.

When Private Insurance Is Not Enough

Even with good private insurance, some families face high costs for:

• Specialty medications for juvenile arthritis, cystic fibrosis, or rare conditions
• Compounded medications for infants who cannot swallow pills
• Medical supplies such as insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors

For these situations, check your province's Catastrophic Drug Coverage program, which caps out-of-pocket costs at a percentage of household income.

The Bottom Line

Most Canadian children can access free or heavily subsidized prescription drug coverage, but families need to know which programs they qualify for and actively enrol. Use TransparentMedz to compare prices on any out-of-pocket medications and always ask your pharmacist about the cheapest option.