Figure 3: Variation, by province, in annual drug costs paid by a 23-year-old woman whose annual income is below the national average. The patient has hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia. She is single, has a child and works part time. Her annual household income is $14 000. Her prescription drugs are levothyroxine sodium (0.075 mg/d) and atorvastatin (40 mg/d). The total annual cost of the drugs is $807 excluding professional fees.