In combination with better home care services, a more integrated and easily accessible palliative prescription drug plan could also help ensure that patients receive their care in the most appropriate setting. Across the country, palliative drug programs have been developed either separately or as part of larger provincial drug coverage initiatives. These programs can differ—in comprehensiveness, eligibility and coverage but generally support patients’ preferred location of care by covering the cost of palliative drugs in settings outside of hospitals. The impact, uptake and effectiveness of these programs have not yet been systematically evaluated.