Alberta government increases prescription costs for seniors

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In addition, on July 1, the maximum co-payment will increase by $1 each month until it reaches $35 on April 1, 2026.

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Adriana LaGrange, primary and preventative health services, said prescription drug coverage is an important part of Alberta’s health care system.

“But drug coverage costs are rising, and we need to take steps to address the cost,” LaGrange said in a statement.

“This change will help keep those costs in check, maintain a fair and balanced cost sharing approach, and allow the government to continue offering this important coverage.”

The province says despite the change, the majority of Alberta seniors will still pay less than seniors in most other provinces.

An Alberta senior needing a drug that costs $900 annually will pay $270 and the government will pay the remaining cost, according to provincial officials.

In B.C., the same senior would pay $900.

Sarah Hoffman, Alberta NDP health shadow minister, said in a statement the government increasing prescription costs on seniors is bad news for those struggling with the cost of living.

“Increasing the cost of medications doesn’t improve health care or make things more affordable – it does the exact opposite,” Hoffman said.

“Because this increase is per prescription, more seniors will be forced into making a choice – medicine or food, or rent, or insurance, or utilities bills, all of which have increased in cost due to this incompetent and cruel UCP government,” she added.

“In the end senior’s health will suffer, they will need more care because they can’t afford medication, and the added strain on the entire health-care system will impact all Albertans.“

Friends of Medicare called the decision to increase drug costs for Alberta seniors is shameful.

“We’re just a few days out from Seniors’ Week, and the government has decided to show their appreciation for Alberta seniors by sneakily implementing cost hikes for their medications,” said executive director Chris Gallaway.

“The fact that the government decided to announce this decision quietly via a memo, without any consultation or notice, shows that they are hoping to get away with this without Albertans noticing.”