Study finds patients treated for mental illness face more barriers for medication approval, access

A Mood Disorders Society of Canada study says Canadians who depend on public drug plans are especially disadvantaged. This study found 42% of those surveyed rely on a public drug plan, a 3% increase since 2015. Those patients can’t get access to newly approved drugs until CADTH determines if patients on public drug plans are eligible to be reimbursed. Between 2012 and 2022, CADTH gave a negative assessment to 54% of mental illness medications, compared to 17% for non-mental illness drugs. The report says these negative assessments mean those on public drug plans aren't getting reimbursed, making them more expensive.