Canada's drug plan hits old, mentally ill, and those on welfare

Changes to Quebec's prescription drug plan, introduced in recent years to extend coverage and share costs, have benefited some previously unprotected citizens but have hurt many of the province's most vulnerable groups. That is the conclusion of a study undertaken by 16 researchers directed by Dr Robert Tamblyn of McGill University.

The researchers included doctors and pharmacists from several universities and a Montreal public health department. Their study was the first systematic examination in …