Medications in Canada: what you need to know about generics, prices, and purchasing drugs

Canada strictly regulates the drug market to ensure patient safety and access to quality medications. As a result, most drugs can only be purchased with a prescription after consulting a doctor. This is done to prevent misuse of medications, which could lead to unwanted health consequences.

It's important to understand that free healthcare in Canada covers many medical services, but not all medications are fully covered by the public health system (Medicare). Drug coverage depends on the province and insurance plan. Since 2024, the national Pharmacare program (Bill C-64) has been in effect, but as of August 2025, it only covers contraceptives and diabetes medications. Program availability depends on whether the province has signed an agreement with the federal government. Other medications may be partially or fully paid for by the patient if they are not included in the list covered by public or private insurance plans.

Drug Equivalents in Canada

Many medications in Canada have different names and often cost more compared to their counterparts in Russia and Ukraine. According to recent data on the increase in drug spending in private insurance plans, the cost of medications continues to rise — in 2023, expenses increased by 14.1%. Here's a list of Canadian drugs with similar purposes and approximate prices as of August 2025:

• Buckley's (cough syrup) — Canadian equivalent to Doctor Mom — $11 to $20 CAD;
• Advil, Ibuprofen, Tylenol (pain relief) — Canadian equivalents to Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Paracetamol — $11 to $20 CAD;
• Creon (for digestion, prescription only) — Canadian equivalent to Mezim — $60 to $75 CAD;
• Buscopan (for spasms, Schedule II — sold only behind the counter by a pharmacist) — Canadian equivalent to No-Spa — $30 to $36 CAD;
• Tums (for heartburn) — Canadian equivalent to Rennie — $11 to $20 CAD;
• Neo Citran (for colds) — Canadian equivalent to Theraflu — $11 to $20 CAD;
• Otrivin (nasal drops) — Canadian equivalent to Tyzine — $15 to $22 CAD;
• Gas-X (for bloating) — Canadian equivalent to Espumisan — $16 to $24 CAD.

It's important to note that some popular medications don't have direct equivalents in Canada: Corvalol is not used in Canada, and there are no direct over-the-counter equivalents for Spasmalgon.

Prices may vary depending on package size, place of purchase, and province. The price range is current as of August 2025.

It's recommended to consult a doctor before purchasing medication and ensure its safety. You can find other equivalents using the website Pillintrip.com, but it's important to remember that this resource doesn't always offer exact equivalents, so consulting a doctor is essential.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

Some medications in Canada can be purchased without a prescription. These are called non-prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs. Generally, these are remedies for minor ailments that don't contain antibiotics or other potent substances. Health Canada determines which drugs require a prescription using the official Prescription Drug List, which replaced the former Schedule F in 2013.

Among over-the-counter medications, you can find activated charcoal, laxatives, allergy medications, throat lozenges, antifungal treatments, hemorrhoid remedies, diarrhea medications, nasal decongestants, heartburn relief, cough suppressants, muscle relaxants, anti-nausea drugs, and other common remedies. However, antibiotics and potent drugs such as hormonal pills and psychotropic medications are sold only by prescription.

Exceptions include some topical antibiotics like bacitracin and gramicidin, which can be used to treat scratches and minor wounds. Also, some low-dose codeine preparations (e.g., Tylenol No. 1 containing up to 8 mg of codeine) may be sold without a prescription but are only available behind the pharmacy counter according to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Some provinces have additional restrictions: they may require identification, and the pharmacist has the right to refuse sale.

Where to Buy Medications in Canada

The grocery basket will become heavier for th...

Canada is preparing a large-scale mobilizatio...

Inflation in Canada slowed down due to unexpe...

Gold rush grips stock markets

One in five Canadians makes painful choices f...

More than 800 kilograms of contraband cannabi...

At Vancouver airport, a record drug shipment ...

American tariffs hit neighbors' pockets

This weekend Canada switches to winter time

A Canadian family found an unusual solution t...

Hackers are attacking Canada's critical infra...

The Bank of Canada has made a cardinal decisi...

Medications in Canada can be purchased at drugstores and supermarkets. Among the largest pharmacy chains are:

• Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Quebec) — over 1,300 pharmacies;
• Pharmasave — over 900 pharmacies;
• Rexall — about 350 pharmacies;
• Jean Coutu — over 420 pharmacies;

Pharmacies in Canada resemble supermarkets, as they sell food, household chemicals, and electronics in addition to medications. Prescription drugs and Schedule II-III medications can only be purchased at pharmacies, while Unscheduled over-the-counter drugs are also available in supermarkets and even at gas stations.

Online pharmacies offering home delivery are now actively developing in Canada. This can be a convenient option for people with limited mobility or those living in remote areas.

Before ordering, it's recommended to verify the pharmacy's license through NAPRA or the provincial regulator.

Drug Classification in Canada

In Canada, the drug classification system includes two levels of regulation. Health Canada determines whether a prescription is required for selling a drug using the Prescription Drug List or controlled substance laws. After that, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) classifies non-prescription drugs into three categories:

• Schedule I: require a prescription and can only be sold by licensed pharmacists;
• Schedule II: don't require a prescription but are sold only in pharmacies by pharmacists;
• Schedule III: don't require a prescription and can be sold in any retail outlet where a pharmacist consultant is present;
• Unscheduled: drugs that are not included in any of these lists and can be sold without a prescription in any store.

To check which list a specific medication belongs to and whether it requires a prescription, you can use the database of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) or the official Health Canada drug product database. It's important to note that drug statuses may slightly differ across provinces, especially for Schedule II medications.

In December 2023, the creation of Canada's Drug Agency was announced, which officially began operations on May 1, 2024. This new agency aims to improve coordination and accessibility of medications across the country, helping to make the healthcare system more resilient and better prepared for future challenges. Simultaneously, in October 2024, Bill C-64 on the national Pharmacare program was passed, with its first phase covering contraceptives and diabetes medications.