Equity in Pharmaceutical Utilization in Ontario: A Cross-Section and Over Time Analysis

This study investigates inequality and inequity in pharmaceutical utilization in Ontario. First, I compare inequality and inequity in drug use between the senior and non-senior population of Ontario at three points in time: 1990, 1996/97, and 2000/01. During this period, all seniors were universally covered by the publicly financed Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. This was not the case for the non-senior population. Second, I examine the changes in inequality and inequity for both population groups at each of the three time points. Cost-sharing and other changes were introduced into the ODB in this period, which allows us to identify the influence on equity of changes in drug coverage policies.