Which of the following is a reason for rising drug costs in the Canadian health care system?

The rising drug costs in the Canadian health care system are significantly influenced by the aging population. As individuals live longer, they tend to develop more chronic illnesses and require more medications to manage these conditions. Older adults typically use more health care services, including prescription drugs, which naturally increases demand for medications. This increased demand can lead to higher overall costs, as the health care system adjusts to accommodate the needs of an older demographic that often requires more intensive and expensive treatments.

Addressing the option about rising birth rates, while changes in demographics can impact health care demands, an increase in the younger population does not correlate directly with rising drug costs in the same way an aging population does. The notion that drug patents expire earlier is also inaccurate, as shorter patent durations would typically lead to lower costs due to the introduction of generic medications. Finally, while fewer employers providing drug insurance can affect access to medications, it doesn't necessarily explain a direct increase in drug costs themselves – rather, it may lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses for individuals who might already be incurring costs due to the increased medication needs associated with aging.