Public drug programs provide drug coverage for a specific population. Federal, provincial and territorial governments offer many different drug programs, most of which have defined criteria for eligibility that include things like age, income, conditions or diseases, or drug costs.
This page gives you an overview of the programs available and their eligibility criteria. It helps you understand program differences so you can interpret data about drug use and spending, and make comparisons.
See the Formulary coverage page for details about the drugs included in each program’s formulary.
Note: An asterisk identifies programs that do not submit data to CIHI’s NPDUIS.
| Jurisdiction | Program group | Programs | Benefit information | Eligibility criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | High-cost/expensive drugs for rare diseases | Exception Status Drugs* | Eligible high-cost outpatient drugs dispensed by the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre under specific circumstances |
Individuals who meet the criteria for coverage developed by the Atlantic and/or Canadian expert advisory committees. |
| Nova Scotia | High-cost/expensive drugs for rare diseases | Multiple Sclerosis Copayment Assistance* | Eligible multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs |
Residents with a valid Nova Scotia health card who meet established disease-state criteria and have drug coverage for specified MS drugs. |
| Nova Scotia | High-cost/expensive drugs for rare diseases | Special Funding Assistance for Residents with Growth Hormone Deficiency* | Eligible growth hormone products |
Residents with growth hormone deficiency who have no other drug coverage and meet drug-specific clinical criteria. |
| Nova Scotia | High-cost/expensive drugs for rare diseases | Special Funding Assistance for Residents with Cystic Fibrosis* | Eligible and medical equipment prescribed by designated cystic fibrosis clinics |
Residents with a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis are eligible for coverage for drugs and equipment prescribed by designated cystic fibrosis clinics. |
| Nova Scotia | Children’s drug plans | Community Services Pharmacare Benefits | Eligible prescription drugs, devices and related services dispensed by pharmacists |
Recipients of the Income Assistance Program and the Disability Support Program and children in the care of child welfare services. |
| Nova Scotia | Children’s drug plans | Family Pharmacare Program | Eligible prescription drugs |
Residents with a valid Nova Scotia health card who do not have prescription drug coverage through other provincial programs; eligibility is not restricted by age and coverage is available for families (including dependent children). |
| Nova Scotia | Palliative | Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): Adjudication of Claims | Drugs related to the provision of MAiD for eligible individuals |
Residents with a valid prescription who meet the eligibility criteria; coverage is restricted to patients on an outpatient basis and at the community level. |
| Nova Scotia | Palliative | Palliative Care Drug Program | Drugs listed in the Nova Scotia Palliative Care Drug Program Formulary |
Residents who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, have a life expectancy in months and who wish to receive palliative care. |
| Nova Scotia | Cancer | Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients | Eligible cancer-related drugs and supplies for low-income cancer patients |
Residents with a valid Nova Scotia health card who have been diagnosed with cancer; eligibility is also based on household income and whether there is existing drug coverage. |
| Nova Scotia | Cancer | Take-Home Cancer Drug Fund* | Eligible take-home cancer drugs for patients facing very high drug costs |
Residents with a valid Nova Scotia health card who are taking cancer drugs at home; eligibility is also based on household income and out-of-pocket drug expenses. |