What is the difference between a Generic drug and a Brand Name drug?

Brand name, or innovator drugs are drugs that are researched, developed and marketed by a specific pharmaceutical company. After a pharmaceutical company researches and gains approval to develop a drug they apply for a patent, allowing them to exclusively produce and sell that drug.  Patents on drugs often have an expiration date. Once the patent runs out other pharmaceutical companies are free to produce and sell the drug as well. A generic drug is a copy of the original brand name drug and uses the same active ingredients but is simply being developed by another pharmaceutical company. Generic drug manufactures are required to follow the same manufacturing and safety standards as brand name manufactures.

For more information about the difference between generic and brand name drugs, visit the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). 

What is the contact information for my provincial/territorial formulary?

A list of formularies and their contact information is available HERE.

Where do I find more information on income support programs to fund the cost of my drugs in my province/territory?

Contact your Ministry of Health for information on what your province offers. A list for all provincial and territorial Ministries of Health is available HERE.

How do I contact the manufacturer to inquire about whether or not a portion of, or all of the costs of a drug is covered through their Patient Assistance Program?

A list of manufacturers’ Patient Assistance Programs is available HERE.

How do I access drugs that aren’t covered on a provincial/territorial formulary?

Learn more about programs that may help cover drugs that aren’t listed on the public formularies HERE. 

What is the Trillium Drug Program in Ontario, am I eligible and how do I apply?

Read this Q & A fact sheet for more information on this program and how it can potentially help offset the costs of your take home cancer medications.

How can my private insurance help pay for drugs that aren’t covered through public funding?

Find more information about private insurance HERE.

Where do I find more information about the drug approval process in Canada?

Learn more about the drug approval process in Canada HERE.

Where do I find more information about clinical trials in Canada?

Learn more about metastatic breast cancer clinical trials in Canada HERE. 

Where do I find a list of cancer centres and contact information?

A list of cancer centres in Canada and their contact information is HERE.

I have information to help update this tool, who do I contact?

If you have additional information that would be helpful to include in this tool please email cbcn@cbcn.ca or call us at 1-800-685-8820.

How can I connect with CBCN directly about specific questions?

Connect with us via email at cbcn@cbcn.ca or on the phone at 1-800-685-8820.