23 Mar Canadian Black Adults Less Likely to Have Prescription Drug Coverage and More Likely to Skip Meds Due to Costs
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Bukola Salami, Ph.D.
Bukola Salami, RN, BScN, MN, PhD, FCAN, FAAN (She/Her)
Full Professor
Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Black and Racialized Peoples Health
Department of Community Health Sciences
Cumming School of Medicine
University of Calgary
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Black people experience disproportionately poor health outcomes, with access to healthcare recognized as a key determinant of health. Although prior research has examined factors influencing healthcare access among Black populations, there is limited evidence on medication access and use. This gap is particularly important in the context of emerging Pharmacare policy in Canada. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of cost-related prescription nonadherence among Black adults in Canada and to examine racial disparities in comparison to White adults, while accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, and insurance-related factors as potential mediators.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Our findings indicate that cost-related prescription nonadherence is significantly higher among Black adults in Canada, both before and after adjusting for these mediating factors.
MedicalResearch.com: Were there discernable differences in geographic regions or immigration status?
Response: We did not assess geographic differences in this analysis. We encourage future research to examine geographical differences especially in light of unequal roll out of pharmacare across Canada. We applied a hierarchical modeling framework, where the first level included variables such as country of birth (i.e., whether an individual was born in Canada) and primary language. In the multivariable analysis at this level, neither Canadian-born status nor primary language was significantly associated with the outcome (p > 0.05), and as a result, these variables were not retained in subsequent models.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Readers should take away that Black adults in Canada are less likely to have prescription drug coverage than White adults and are more likely to forgo medications due to cost. These disparities highlight important gaps in equitable access to medications and underscore the need for policy interventions, particularly in the context of Pharmacare.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: This study highlights the need for future research to examine how the implementation of Pharmacare in Canada may impact existing racial disparities in medication access and adherence. Specifically, longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether Pharmacare reduces cost-related prescription nonadherence among Black populations and whether it improves equity in prescription drug coverage. This has important implications for population health in Canada given the burden of disease among Black people. Further research should also explore how structural factors, such as systemic racism, differences in employment-based benefits, and barriers within healthcare systems, may continue to shape access to medications even under universal Pharmacare. In addition, disaggregated data collection by race will be critical to monitor progress and ensure that Pharmacare policies effectively address inequities rather than inadvertently reproducing them.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: This project was funded by the Canada Research Chair Program.
Citation: Disparities in cost-related prescription nonadherence between Black and White adults in Canada
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Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by Marie Benz MD FAAD