Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ontario has 2 funding streams for cancer drugs. Oral cancer drugs as well as injections are covered through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB). Intravenous (IV) cancer drugs are covered through Cancer Care Ontario (CCO).

If you have high out-of-pocket drug costs, you can speak with your local Oncology Drug Access Navigator. They can help you determine what options are available to potentially reduce what you’re paying. You can contact your local DAN here.

A Drug Access Navigator is the best person to help you to contact your private insurance plan with you. They can help you with any forms needed for your insurance, making appeals and connecting you with available programs to help with financial needs. You can contact your local DAN here.

Almost all cancer centres in Ontario have one or more Drug Access Navigators (DANs) on staff. If you’re being treated in Ontario, you ask to see the hospital DAN if needed. Your oncologist / hematologist should be able to set that up.

If you’re moving to Ontario from another province, your previous provincial drug coverage remains in place for 3 months after leaving. During this time, you should apply to OHIP so can transition to Ontario drug coverage. If you’re new to Canada, you should apply for OHIP to help with drug coverage.

You can find the OHIP registration form here.

Once you have OHIP, you may be covered by Ontario Drug Benefits if you are:

• a child or youth, age 24 or younger
• age 65 or older
• living in a long-term care home or a home for special care
• receiving professional home and community care services
• enrolled in the Trillium Drug Program
• enrolled in Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program

For many drugs covered by a private drug plan, you may be able to have them covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit. If you’re between 25 and 65, you can get Ontario Drug Benefits through the Trillium Drug Program. You can check if your privately paid for drug will be a Ontario drug benefit here.

You can find the Trillium Drug Program application form here.

Yes, with OW and ODSP, you should have access to full Ontario Drug Benefits. You can see if your drug is here.

Generic and brand name drugs have identical active ingredients, and generic drugs must meet Health Canada’s standards for bioequivalence. Bioequivalent drug formulations have the same bioavailability; that is, the same rate and extent of absorption.

Although the active ingredients are the same, the excipients (inactive ingredients) may differ. This is only important in rare cases when a patient has an allergy or sensitivity to one of the excipients.

The product may also be slightly different in colour, shape, or markings.

You can find out more information here

In Ontario, you may have a private drug plan through an insurance provider like Great West Life or Sun Life. If you do not have a private drug plan, you can have drugs covered through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. It covers most of the cost of the more than 4,400 medications. You may be covered by Ontario Drug Benefit if you have OHIP coverage and are:

• a child or youth, age 24 or younger
• age 65 or older
• living in a long-term care home or a home for special care
• receiving professional home and community care services
• enrolled in the Trillium Drug Program
• enrolled in Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.