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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer
Information
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Facing Financial Issues
Funding for Medications
In Canada, there are a variety of sources of funding for medications, including public and private insurance and drug companies’ patient assistance programs.
Provincial Formularies
Each province has its own list of drugs that it funds. This list is called a formulary. The formulary differs from one province to another, as do the criteria for the patients who may access these drugs. Some drugs are funded only for certain groups, such as seniors, recipients of social assistance, or individuals with diseases that may have expensive treatments. Not all drugs that are approved by Health Canada are covered in each province or territory. However, all drugs given in a hospital are funded under the Canada Health Act. If you or loved one needs a drug that is not listed in the formulary, you may want to explore alternatives, such as private medical insurance, or you may need to pay for the medications out of pocket. Download contact information for the provincial formularies in Canada.
Many provinces also have income support programs to fund drugs. Contact your Ministry of Health for information on what your province offers.
Private Payer
Private insurance, provided either through your employer or bought directly from an insurance company, can often cover drugs that are not on the provincial or territorial formulary. Check with your insurance provider to see whether the drugs you need are covered. For more information on how to get funding for drugs, see our brochure Who Pays for Drugs in Canada.
Special Access Program
If you have a serious or life-threatening condition for which conventional therapies have failed, your doctor can arrange through Health Canada’s Special Access Program for you to have access to drugs that are not licensed for sale in Canada.
Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs
Some drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs for certain drugs to help cover a portion of, or all of the costs of your treatment. Download contact information for various manufacturers’ patient assistance programs.
If you are continuing to have difficulties accessing your necessary treatment in your province, connect with us at cbcn@cbcn.ca or 1-800-685-8820.
The Canadian Cancer Society has a database that can be used to find local support services in your area. You can access it below:
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About CBCN
CBCN strives to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing.
Canadian Breast Cancer Network
185 Somerset St. West Suite 318, Ottawa, ON Canada K2P 0J2
Tel: 613-230-3044
Toll-free: 1-800-685-8820
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