Prescription drug and medical for PR

[PG0002]

Hi ALL
Due to an accident a few years ago, I need to take a prescription drug and undergo a blood test every three months. The total annual cost for all this is less than $1000/year. I have visited a couple of specialist doctors here in Canada and they have said that I will have to take the medicine throughout my lifetime.
I have my medical exam next month for my permanent residency in Alberta. I have 2 questions-

1. Can my application be rejected on grounds of medical inadmissibility?
2. Should I let the doctor know during my medical tests that I am on prescription drug (although I am covered for this drug under my employer health insurance and I have purchased this drug in Canada as I get enough tablets from India that can last for 2 years)

Please advice.
Thanks!
PG

 

[rks0101]

Hi ALL
Due to an accident a few years ago, I need to take a prescription drug and undergo a blood test every three months. The total annual cost for all this is less than $1000/year. I have visited a couple of specialist doctors here in Canada and they have said that I will have to take the medicine throughout my lifetime.
I have my medical exam next month for my permanent residency in Alberta. I have 2 questions-

1. Can my application be rejected on grounds of medical inadmissibility?
2. Should I let the doctor know during my medical tests that I am on prescription drug (although I am covered for this drug under my employer health insurance and I have purchased this drug in Canada as I get enough tablets from India that can last for 2 years)

Please advice.
Thanks!
PG

Hi PG0002,

If the costs of managing the pre-existing condition is not high, it does not fall under Excessive Demand on the health services and would not be liable for PR rejection on basis of medical in-admissibility.

Per Ch3: Definition of “excessive demand” The term "excessive demand" means (a) a demand on health services or social services for which the anticipated costs would likely exceed average Canadian per capita health services and social services costs over a period of five consecutive years immediately following the most recent medical examination required by these regulations, unless there is evidence that significant costs are likely to be incurred beyond that period in which case the period is no more than 10 consecutive years'''

I quote from National Health Expenditure Database:
''With the slower pace of growth, total health expenditure per capita in Canada increased to $5,911 in 2012. Forecasts for 2013 and 2014 are $5,985 and $6,045, respectively.'''

Based on above, C$1000 is not excessive provided u have applied CH3 completely and is based on the type of your condition. However the health costs in Canada must be higher than $1000 when u apply labour charges and costs of medicines bought in Canada, it would better to talk about these costs to your family doctor in Canada. Each visit I believe must be costing about 80c$ for doctor + tests and medicines etc.

Hope this helps!

 

[PG0002]

Thanks a lot RKS. Actually, medicine (even the branded ones and not generic) costs less than $ 30 for a month's supply and the test costs $100.Thanks for the help!
Cheers