The Reformulary Group Inc. has launched an app for its DrugFinder service that allows all Canadians to search the company’s curated list of medications.
Previously only available to employees whose companies subscribed to the company’s formulary, the service allows users to find the cost, level of reimbursement and availability of any suitable alternative drugs.
Read: Reformulary Group launches early warning system for high-cost drugs
The app also allows users to track their medications and receive notification when new drugs come on the market or alternatives become available.
The app’s launch follows recent figures released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information that showed spending on drugs is on track to surpass expenditures on hospitals and doctors for the first time.
The organization predicted spending on drugs would rise by 5.2 per cent this year and noted the category accounted for 16.4 per cent of health expenditures in 2017.
“Many Canadians are not aware they have a choice in the drugs they take — some drugs cost more than others and yet are clinically similar,” said Helen Stevenson, chief executive officer of the Reformulary Group.
Read: Drugs pushing Canada’s total health spend to $242 billion in 2017: CIHI