For the first time in 12 years, the price of prescription drugs could be allowed to rise in Quebec, the government confirmed Wednesday.

Prices have been frozen since 1994 in Quebec — the only province or state in North America to have this type of freeze in place.

Health Minister Philippe Couillard says the freeze on drug prices could end this spring.
(Jacques Boissinot/ Canadian Press)

Quebec's health minister said the change could occur as early as this spring, but he stressed that the government will work to ensure prices don't rise faster than the cost of living.

"We cannot maintain Quebec in isolation from the rest of North America," Health Minister Philippe Couillard said Wednesday in Quebec City.

"It's not good for access to medication."

He said Quebec could see medications removed from pharmacy shelves because drug companies don't want to sell them at low prices.

Details of the changes were first leaked in Wednesday's La Presse.

Couillard said, contrary to the La Presse report, the more than three million Quebecers covered by the province's public drug plan will not be asked to pay out-of-pocket if the price of their drugs rises faster than the rate of inflation.

Couillard stressed the government will be absorbing all costs.

"We are going to be sure that the increases allowed are properly defined … and be sure that we keep good access to medication to all Quebecers," he said.

He said this change will help Quebec maintain a dynamic pharmaceutical industry in the province, ensuring the industry is able to develop and prosper.

With files from the Canadian Press