Purpose: Provincial public drug formularies in Canada have different mechanisms for reimbursement of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We investigate how these differences influence DOAC utilization and expenditure across the country.

Methods: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of all out-patient prescriptions for OACs dispensed to public beneficiaries between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2015. We calculated quarterly rates of OAC use and expenditures stratified by OAC type and province.

Results: The greatest increase in quarterly rates of DOAC utilization occurred in provinces with more liberal mechanism of drug coverage: Ontario by 462%, Alberta by 425% and Quebec by 1,924%. This translated to increased expenditure on overall OAC by 270%, 204% and 390%, respectively. In contrast, provinces with more stringent mechanisms had low rates of DOAC utilization and expenditure.

Conclusions: DOAC utilization and expenditure is considerably different across Canada, associated with provincial difference in reimbursement mechanism.

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