Cost Search Methodology
How TeleTest collects, validates, and updates pricing and coverage data for 250 medications and 86 lab tests.
Scope
Cost Search is a static reference section covering Canadian prescription drug prices across major retail pharmacies and Ontario self-pay lab test prices across LifeLabs and Dynacare. Drug coverage status is tracked across public provincial formularies where available, and lab coverage status is mapped to OHIP rules for Ontario.
- 250 drug pages with monthly price ranges and provider comparisons.
- 86 lab pages with self-pay prices and OHIP coverage status.
- Category hubs, source citations, and per-page last-updated dates.
Collection Standards
Pharmacy pricing
Pharmacy prices were obtained through direct pharmacy inquiries for a standard 30-day supply in Ontario. Canadian pharmacies do not publish prescription drug prices online. Dispensing fees are included. Prices may vary by location, dosage, and supply. Contact the pharmacy directly to verify current pricing.
Ontario drug coverage
Ontario Drug Benefit coverage status is checked against the ODB Formulary database maintained by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Status codes: GB = General Benefit (no authorization needed), LU = Limited Use (criteria must be met), NO = Not listed.
Provincial drug coverage
Provincial drug coverage information is obtained from each province's public formulary database. Coverage criteria and terminology differ between provinces.
Lab pricing
Lab test prices are obtained from LifeLabs and Dynacare for self-pay (uninsured) patients in Ontario. Prices may vary by province. Contact the lab directly to verify current pricing.
OHIP lab coverage
OHIP lab test coverage is based on the Ontario Schedule of Benefits for Laboratory Services. 'Covered' means requisitioned tests are paid by OHIP. 'Not covered' means the patient pays out-of-pocket. 'Conditions' means coverage depends on clinical indication or ordering frequency.
What Users Should Know
- Drug prices are reference estimates for a standard 30-day supply and can vary by dose, quantity, store, and local dispensing fee policies.
- Lab prices reflect Ontario self-pay rates and may differ by province, collection site, or bundled provider fees.
- Coverage rules change over time and can depend on clinical criteria, diagnosis, prior authorization, or ordering frequency.
- Each page links the exact sources used for the claims on that page, with access dates.
Canonical Sources
- Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary Official Ontario government formulary database for drug coverage status
- Ontario Check Medication Coverage Ontario government tool for checking if a medication is covered
- Health Canada Drug Product Database Official Health Canada database of authorized drug products in Canada
- OHIP Schedule of Benefits – Laboratory Services Ontario government schedule of insured laboratory services
- LifeLabs Tests & Services LifeLabs test menu. Prices obtained via direct inquiry for self-pay patients.
- Dynacare Find a Test Dynacare test directory with search.
- Costco Pharmacy Canada Costco Canada online pharmacy. No membership required for pharmacy. Prices obtained via direct pharmacy inquiry.
- Walmart Pharmacy Canada Walmart pharmacy services. Prices obtained via direct pharmacy inquiry.
- Rexall Pharmacy Rexall pharmacy drug information. Prices obtained via direct pharmacy inquiry.
- Shoppers Drug Mart Shoppers Drug Mart drug database and inventory locator. Prices obtained via direct pharmacy inquiry.
- BC PharmaCare Formulary Search British Columbia PharmaCare drug formulary search
- Alberta Interactive Drug Benefit List Alberta Blue Cross drug benefit list search
Update Cadence
Pricing data is reviewed on a monthly cadence, with individual source links carrying access dates. Coverage data is refreshed when the underlying public formularies or schedules change materially. The methodology page was last reviewed on 2026-03-10.